Project description
New solar energy solutions for Europe’s green future
Europe is racing to meet its ambitious 55 % greenhouse gas reduction target by 2030. Success hinges on innovative solutions to expedite the transition to renewable energy. In this context, the EU-funded SPHINX project aims to transform integrated photovoltaics (PV) with new module architectures to facilitate wider adoption. Specifically, it will introduce disruptive matrix shingling technology which covers the entire module area with overlapping cell segments, elevating solar module efficiency by 3 %, reducing sensitivity to shading and enhancing energy yield up to threefold in partial shading conditions. With five distinct PV products tailored to various construction types, the project aims to demonstrate economic viability, low degradation rates, competitive installation costs and minimal environmental impact. Ultimately, SPHINX will address energy needs and reshape the future of sustainable architecture.
Objective
Europe's ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 presents a significant challenge, and addressing it requires innovative solutions. The SPHINX project aims to accelerate the adoption of photovoltaics, the cheapest source of energy, by developing new photovoltaic products for integrated construction that are multi-functional, aesthetically pleasing, and have a minimal impact on resources such as land and materials.
SPHINX aims to demonstrate solutions for an economic and sustainable integration of five innovative PV products in five respective demonstration sites covering different construction typologies: lightweight modules for installation on rooftops with weight constraints, tiles for heritage buildings, tiles for facades, semi-transparent modules for carports, and noise barriers.
Each of these products will be piloted and monitored to demonstrate high energy production, low degradation rates, competitive installation costs, and a low environmental impact.
To increase the efficiency of solar modules, SPHINX is leveraging a disruptive European interconnection technology known as matrix shingling. This technology improves the filling of the active area of solar modules, leading to a 3% increase in power output, and make them less sensitive to shading. This translates to up to 3 times more energy yield compared to standard modules under strong partial shading. Furthermore, this technology drastically reduces the use of resources such as lead and copper. To further enhance module performance, SPHINX will add new functionalities to the encapsulant, including UV selective absorption and reemission for power increase, selective reflection of IR light to increase bifacial boost, and reduce temperature behind the panel. New coatings will also be developed to provide anti-glare and anti-fouling capabilities based on a new deposition process that can be reapplied in the field in case of damage.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinator
67190 Dinsheim
France