MicroShade|Microshade®

Introduction to MicroShade

MicroShade is a Danish cleantech company founded in 2003 as a spin-off from the Danish Technological Institute. At MicroShade we first developed a solar shading solution where a passive steel membrane was used. The new MicroShade®, however, consists of a micro-structure film which, when placed in between a 2- or 3-layer glazing unit, provides optimal solar shading while maintaining the view to the outside and ensuring pleasant daylight conditions. In combination, these parameters raise the quality of the indoor climate significantly compared to any other solar shading solution.

At MicroShade we strive to ensure better work environments, and at the same time reduce operating costs for building owners and their tenants.

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How does it work?

MicroShade^® is a passive and highly effective shading solution fully integrated into either a double or triple pane insulating glazing unit.

MicroShade^® consists of micro-structure film which shades the direct sun progressively. The shading effect of can be compared to that of exterior blinds - except the film is almost invisible to the human eye - so the view is maintained.

During summer, when the sun is high in the sky, MicroShade® provides beam shading of up to 100% and as such removes the energy from the sunlight. In contrast, MicroShade allows roughly 35% of solar transmittance in the winter which reduces the need for heating during the cold period.

MicroShade^® allows a high level of natural daylight to enter the building and is available in various configurations suitable for both facade and roof applications.

How is it made?

MicroShade^® is a micro-structure film so thin that it is almost invisible when placed between two or more layers of glazing. The only thing noticeable - if looking very closely - is a thin slip line where the 1,5m wide film is joined together.

The solution is entirely passive and requires no control units, no configurations and no extra maintenance or service. MicroShade^® is compatible with all modern glazing configurations including structural glazing, sound reduction and safety glazing configurations.

User experience

A good indoor climate is important for humans to thrive. People working in pleasant indoor climates are more engaged, loyal, satisfied and more productive.

The shading of solar energy and the optical properties of a glazing are critical to anyone working near the façade. A successful façade must deliver a delicate and complex balance - protecting the building against overheating in the summer, while allowing enough daylight to enter the building and providing a view to the outside.

Go to user statements

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MicroShade^® is a simple and fully compliant solution providing better work place conditions, through:

Improved view to the outside (no obstruction of view by exterior shading devices)
More daylight (provides real daylight distribution in the building for up to 80% of the work hours during the year)
Improved thermal indoor climate (the solar energy transmittance is reduced with up to 97% in the summer resulting in a significantly reduced need for cooling and ventilation and therefore less risk of draught)
Improved energy profile (less dependence on mechanical installations such as cooling and external solar shading solutions)
No noise (there are no mechanical installations which emit noise as they adjust as a result of wind gusts or change in brightness of light)

Go to multiple references

View out (on a cloudy winter day) and close-up of the film. Same window, same view.

Owner Experience

The MicroShade^® solution provides a positive impact on all primary elements relevant for a best-in-class tenant experience and overall financial return of a real estate portfolio:

Unparalleled indoor climate (better light experience and up to 97% shading of direct solar beam)
Reduced operational costs (Maintenance free and reduce/remove need for cooling and ventilation)
Predictability (advanced guarantees for lifetime performance)
Better TCO / LCC (total cost of ownership / life cycle cost)
Improved m² flexibility and office usage (removal of energy and direct sun increases the area available for work space and makes the building less dependent on mechanical infrastructures such as cooling and external shading)
Better gross rent levels (higher quality experience through improved indoor climate, m²-utilization and environmental profile)
Reduced complexity in construction and retrofitting (no need for wiring or system configuration)
A full suite of software and marketing tools that enable owners to articulate the improved building quality of using MicroShade® and convert it to higher rent levels.

= Better investment yield & better property value

View video

Contractor Experience

The MicroShade^® solution has a positive impact on all important risk elements concerning a successful building project:

Minimal risk during installation (MicroShade^® is installed just like regular glass)
Available at selected glass manufacturers
Saves time in the building process (no additional stapling, wiring or configuration – and no need for sub-contracting such as CTS, power- or façade installation)
Passive technology = Predictability
Better guarantees and warranty than alternative solutions

View video

First installation of MicroShade Film^®

Architectural experience

MicroShade^® allows complete design flexibility at the highest energy and sustainability levels. This flexibility includes:

Unlimited glass usage
Unlimited glass size (jumbo frame)
No restrictions on shapes
Complete removal of external shading

View Architectural Experience video

Competitive comparison & pricing

MicroShade^® is the defining benchmark for solar shading in the industry. No other solution is able to deliver the same combination of low g-value (energy efficiency), quality of light, view-out capability, installation simplicity, lifetime cost and CO₂ impact. To sum it up MicroShade^® delivers:

Better energy performance

g-value less than 10% and plenty of daylight.
Passive progressive energy effect (up to 3 times the energy penetration during winter – only solution that can do this)

Improved visual experience

Natural daylight (Ra-value) +95%
Unparalleled view out for a shading solution

More sustainable

Unparalleled lifetime (as long as the glazing)
Only 200 gr microstructure-film per m²
100% recyclable and easy disassembly after end of use
Better lifetime energy effect

Better lifetime financials (Total Cost of Ownership)

No lifetime costs; i.e. no repair, maintenance or configuration
Better energy effect than the alternatives
Financial and energy predictability (guaranteed)
Ultra simple installation (just glass) with no extra mounting, cabling or CTS integration

Please reach out to our specialists to obtain a comparative price calculation for your specific requirements or project - or go to this link to learn why MicroShade is able to guarantee its performance.

MicroShade Film^® in the first location where it was installed

Who are we?

The story of MicroShade starts in 2003, when the company was founded as a spin-off from the Danish Technological Institute following an idea to integrate solar cells in glass facades. The solar cells are designed to promote energy-neutral air conditioning, whereby the power generated by the solar cells is used to remove surplus heat caused by high levels of solar irradiation, a well-known problem in modern glass buildings.

In 2004, the idea was further developed to also include a groundbreaking passive solar shading system built into insulating glazing. The design is intelligent, meaning that the solar shading adapts to the height of the sun in the sky. Since then, the idea has been further developed and fine-tuned in close cooperation with a number of knowledge centres and architects.

In 2009, Vækstfonden and the Danish Technological Institute made a substantial investment in MicroShade to support production and promote sales of the MicroShade^® solar shading solution.

In 2009, MicroShade^® was introduced to the market and installed in a number of reference installations in offices and institutions.

Mission

MicroShade A/S specialises in developing and marketing advanced, transparent solar shading solutions. Our mission is to create a good working environment and reduce energy consumption in modern buildings with large glass facades, using aesthetic and maintenance-free solar shading.

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MicroShade A/S is a technology and knowledge-based company working in partnership with a number of knowledge centres, including the Danish Technological Institute. The company was founded in 2003 and is owned by Vækstfonden - a Danish state investment company, two Dutch funds: SET Ventures and Lucros-Capital and as well as a group of Danish business angels.

Management

Eik Bezzel
CEO

Direct phone: +45 22 67 36 13
Email: bezzelSPAMIKKE@microshade.dk

Sten Larsen
COO/CFO

Email: slSPAMIKKE@microshade.dk

Christian Lygum
CSO

Direct phone: +45 21 27 48 27
Email: clSPAMIKKE@microshade.dk

Board of Directors

Jacob Kildegaard Larsen, Chairman
Partner, Executive Capital

Tonni Bülow-Nielsen
Managing Partner, VF Venture, Vækstfonden

René Savelsberg
CEO, SET Ventures

Nick Stokman
Director, Lucros Investment

Newsletters

At MicroShade we take a keen interest in what goes on in the world of solar shading and keep track of the most relevant news - and we do also have an opinion about it.

We share both in our newsletters which are distributed 3-4 times per year.

Read our latest newsletters:

"Introducing a break-through in solar shading: MicroShade Film®" (#9, February 18, 2021)

"Second release of SimShade® - the climate-based calculation tool" (#8, April 14, 2020)

"New simulation tool, new capital and World of Façades in Berlin" (#7, September 4, 2019)

"Price reduction, case on HQ atrium and a word on innovation" (#6, April 30 2019)

"Expansion in Germany, SME Star Award and success at Glasstec" (#5, November 2018)

"Partnership, real-world impact and industry award" (#4, July, 2018)

"A Milestone for MicroShade" (#3, April, 2018)

"Why Micro Angle Chromatic Solutions is the future" (#2, June, 2017)

"Why the Daylight Factor is old-fashioned" (#1, February, 2017)