Photovoltaic concrete facade uses sunlight to generate energy

Concrete facades could soon capture solar energy to power buildings, using a prototype photovoltaic cladding developed by materials company LafargeHolcim and electronics manufacturer Heliatek.
The product combines LafargeHolcim's concrete with a top layer of Heliatek's HeliaFilm — a flexible solar film that is just one millimetre thick.
The companies recently tested the hybrid product in a pilot project at the LafargeHolcim Research Center in Lyon, and they plan to take it to market in 201