Laminated (and, in some cases, additionally etched) glazing units for cooperation with solar-energy systems during architectural integration thereof include an optically-transparent substrate in contact with an incident medium, on one side, and with a non-quarter-wave thin-film-stack based interference filter on another side, followed by an exit medium. Embodiments are practically applicable to conceal physical structures disposed behind them and characterized by IR-light transmittance that is enhanced (as compared with conventional glazing units based on quarter-wave thin-film-stacks and similarly utilized) to improve efficiency of a solar-energy system carrying at least a portion of such glazing unit on its front surface. Colour of reflected light perceived as a function of angle is sufficiently stabilized for practical applications. In specific cases, a solar-energy system is integrated inside or with such a glazing unit.

A glazing unit is provided for producing an aesthetically pleasing effect. The glazing unit may include at least one polymer with a first structured surface to which a photonic structure is applied. The surface can reflect a first partial spectrum of incident electromagnetic radiation, and can transmit a second partial spectrum of incident electromagnetic radiation. A reflected proportion corresponds to a higher harmonic and is in a visible spectral range.

A glazing unit is provided for producing an aesthetically pleasing effect. The glazing unit may include at least one polymer with a first structured surface to which a photonic structure is applied. The surface can reflect a first partial spectrum of incident electromagnetic radiation, and can transmit a second partial spectrum of incident electromagnetic radiation. A reflected proportion corresponds to a higher harmonic and is in a visible spectral range.

Anti-reflective article includes a layer defining an anti-reflective surface. The anti-reflective surface includes a series of alternating micro-peaks and micro-spaces extending along an axis. The surface also includes a series of nano-peaks extending along an axis. The nano-peaks are disposed at least on the micro-spaces and, optionally, the micro-peaks. The article may be disposed on a photovoltaic module or skylight to reduce reflections and resist the collection of dust and dirt.

A laminated and etched glazing unit having a substrate and a multi-layered interference filter each delimited by two main faces; the incident medium having a refractive index n.sub.inc=1, the substrate having a refractive index n.sub.substrate defined as: 1.45n.sub.substrate1.6 at 550 nm, and the exit medium being defined as follows 1.45n.sub.exit1.6 at 550 nm; and wherein the following requirements are met: The saturation of the colour is higher than 8 at near-normal angle of reflection, except for grey and brown; the visible reflectance is higher than 4%; the variation of the dominant wavelength .sub.MD of the dominant colour M.sub.D of the reflection is smaller than 15 nm for .sub.r<60; and the total hemispherical solar transmittance is above 80%.

A laminated and etched glazing unit having a substrate and a multi-layered interference filter each delimited by two main faces; the incident medium having a refractive index n.sub.inc=1, the substrate having a refractive index n.sub.substrate defined as: 1.45n.sub.substrate1.6 at 550 nm, and the exit medium being defined as follows 1.45n.sub.exit1.6 at 550 nm; and wherein the following requirements are met: The saturation of the colour is higher than 8 at near-normal angle of reflection, except for grey and brown; the visible reflectance is higher than 4%; the variation of the dominant wavelength .sub.MD of the dominant colour M.sub.D of the reflection is smaller than 15 nm for .sub.r<60; and the total hemispherical solar transmittance is above 80%.

A solar window system for a building includes multiple heat generation encasements each including thermoelectric sheets, where the thermoelectric sheets are positioned inside a housing having an interior metal layer. Air inside each heat generation encasement is heated by solar energy. Inside each heat generation encasement, there are pipes filled with Phase-Change Material (PCM) materials that help provide heating to the building. The solar window system further includes a storage tank on top of the system filled with PCM materials for storing heat from the heated air, the storage tank being connected to the pipes of each heat generation encasement. The solar window system includes a set of connection pipes, wherein the set of connection pipes draw cold air from an indoor space inside the building into the plurality of heat generation encasements, connect each of the heat generation encasements to at least two other heat generation encasements, and transfer the heated air from the set of heat generation encasements to the storage tank. The solar window system also includes circular movable rings that can be open and closed as needed. These rings are located around each heat generation encasement and have two movable flexible solar panels capable of generating electricity.

A solar window system for a building includes multiple heat generation encasements each including thermoelectric sheets, where the thermoelectric sheets are positioned inside a housing having an interior metal layer. Air inside each heat generation encasement is heated by solar energy. Inside each heat generation encasement, there are pipes filled with Phase-Change Material (PCM) materials that help provide heating to the building. The solar window system further includes a storage tank on top of the system filled with PCM materials for storing heat from the heated air, the storage tank being connected to the pipes of each heat generation encasement. The solar window system includes a set of connection pipes, wherein the set of connection pipes draw cold air from an indoor space inside the building into the plurality of heat generation encasements, connect each of the heat generation encasements to at least two other heat generation encasements, and transfer the heated air from the set of heat generation encasements to the storage tank. The solar window system also includes circular movable rings that can be open and closed as needed. These rings are located around each heat generation encasement and have two movable flexible solar panels capable of generating electricity.

Laminated (and, in some cases, additionally etched) glazing units for cooperation with solar-energy systems during architectural integration thereof include an optically-transparent substrate in contact with an incident medium, on one side, and with a non-quarter-wave thin-film-stack based interference filter on another side, followed by an exit medium. Embodiments are practically applicable to conceal physical structures disposed behind them and characterized by IR-light transmittance that is enhanced (as compared with conventional glazing units based on quarter-wave thin-film-stacks and similarly utilized) to improve efficiency of a solar-energy system carrying at least a portion of such glazing unit on its front surface. Colour of reflected light perceived as a function of angle is sufficiently stabilized for practical applications. In specific cases, a solar-energy system is integrated inside or with such a glazing unit.

Laminated (and, in some cases, additionally etched) glazing units for cooperation with solar-energy systems during architectural integration thereof include an optically-transparent substrate in contact with an incident medium, on one side, and with a non-quarter-wave thin-film-stack based interference filter on another side, followed by an exit medium. Embodiments are practically applicable to conceal physical structures disposed behind them and characterized by IR-light transmittance that is enhanced (as compared with conventional glazing units based on quarter-wave thin-film-stacks and similarly utilized) to improve efficiency of a solar-energy system carrying at least a portion of such glazing unit on its front surface. Colour of reflected light perceived as a function of angle is sufficiently stabilized for practical applications. In specific cases, a solar-energy system is integrated inside or with such a glazing unit.