Fort Miller Precast of Greenwich, New York, and SolaBlock, Inc. of Pittsfield, Massachusetts and Troy, New York, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop a series of photovoltaic precast wall panels (PVP), as a significant evolution in solar-embedded concrete products.
Under this agreement, the two companies commit to utilize their expertise and resources for the design, prototyping, testing, marketing, and sales of the PVP. The series of precast products will include significant custom applications for high-need opportunities, such as highway sound barrier walls, data centers, and parking garages. Further, a standardized product will be designed to assist architects and contractors with deploying solar walls on commercial and institutional buildings, including quick service restaurants, bank branches, school buildings, and other commercial structures.
“We are excited to partner with SolaBlock to bring this innovative technology to market,” said Joshua French, Vice President of Estimating, Sales and Marketing for Fort Miller Precast. “This collaboration allows us to leverage our expertise in precast concrete products while addressing the growing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient building solutions. We see significant opportunities ahead, particularly in sectors like infrastructure and commercial construction, where the integration of solar technology can make a real impact.”
Eric Planey, CEO of SolaBlock, further states “To have a partnership with a company like Fort Miller Precast is truly a privilege for us. Over the last year, during our customer discovery process for our Solar Masonry Unit (SMU) block product, we have been repeatedly advised of the growing demand for a precast system from architects, contractors, and potential clients to address future trends in the construction industry. Further, many of our current and potential global investors have also identified that in their home markets, especially in Asia and Europe. Precast is becoming the predominant construction method, particularly to address labor shortages in those markets.”
The relationship between SolaBlock and Fort Miller developed through their mutual partnership with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), who works with both companies on a variety of research and development support initiatives.
John O’Connor, SolaBlock’s Chief Technology Officer, expands on how significant the need will be for deploying a precast building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) system. “The further electrification of our economy is going to require incredible demands to source electricity in new and unique ways. Data Center growth in the U.S. alone will double their power consumption needs by 17 Gigawatts in the next five years. Having a product that can be deployed at the data center itself without taking up more land usage, while complementing the output from its rooftop systems, is imperative. We are thrilled for this opportunity to work with Fort Miller.”
The first pilot project of the PVP is expected to be deployed in early 2025. The companies are quickly moving jointly into the product development, design, and customer discovery phases.
SolaBlock also credits their partnerships with SunWize Power & Battery, LLC of Oregon for assistance on the design work, cove.tool of Georgia for building design collaboration on the product, Fish & Richardson for the patent work on the PVP, and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for continued for of SolaBlock’s growth strategy.
About Fort Miller Precast:
Fort Miller Precast excels in manufacturing essential precast concrete infrastructure designed for highways, bridges, and utilities. Renowned for their expertise in precast customization and cutting-edge infrastructure, Fort Miller’s diverse product line spans from manholes to complete bridge systems. Notable achievements include the construction of the main span of the iconic Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (formerly known as the Tappan Zee) and the development of support structures for New York City Mass Transit Authority’s (MTA) esteemed Grand Central Terminal.
To learn more about Fort Miller Precast: www.fortmiller.com
About SolaBlock:
SolaBlock provides Vertical Solar Solutions (VSS) for their customers utilizing patented Solar Masonry Units (SMUs) and the soon to be developed Photovoltaic Precast Panels (PVPs). SolaBlock’s portfolio of products combines premium solar technology with a variety of concrete based products. Founded in Massachusetts, SolaBlock is proud to be assembled in the USA.
To learn more about SolaBlock, Inc.: www.solablock.com
