Advanced manufacturing of Integrated PV

“Integrated PV” stands for photovoltaics that are embedded into components fulfilling other functions. The most well-known and developed application currently is Building Integrated PV (BIPV), in which PV is integral part of construction elements (tiles, façades, cladding, …) and assembled to constitute a system replacing a conventional building envelope solution. However, other Integrated PV (IPV) solutions are markedly emerging, for example in infrastructure (IIPV), in the automotive industry (VIPV), in agriculture, etc. In addition to the overall PV goal of lowering the LCOE, IPV applications can bring the extra value of decentralized, point-of-use electricity generation and simultaneously fulfil another function such as of a roofing, facade or sound barrier. Progressively developing and having the potential for a world-wide market with huge opportunities for the European industry, manufacturing of customized IPV in series production concept needs to be developed to bring down the cost of Integrated PV allowing for largescale production and use.

The proposal should address all of the following:

• Demonstrate at pilot line level flexible automated manufacturing for:
  • differentiated product design (format, different thicknesses of substrate and variations in the solar cell matrix, encapsulation material, front sheet, etc.) respecting freedom of design and aesthetics for various applications;
  • integration of advanced robust techniques for inline process and quality control;
  • equipment design easily adaptable to rapidly emerging novel cell and module technologies;
  • high product efficiency and durability at competitive costs, in conformity with codes and standards of integrated photovoltaics (IPV) use.
• Implement Industry 4.0 concepts.
• Demonstrate a business case and a market introduction strategy.
• Facilitate the ‘renovation wave’ by establishing an active collaboration between the PV sector and the building industry for seamless industrial construction/renovation workflows.
• Address the following related aspects: low environmental impact, resource efficiency and circularity potential.

The proposal should involve multidisciplinary consortia including industrial partners.