Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SPHINX (Sustainable Photovoltaics Integration in buildings and Infrastructure for multiple applications)
Période du rapport: 2023-11-01 au 2025-04-30
Buildings and infrastructure account for a significant share of the EU’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. As the EU moves toward climate neutrality, integrating renewable energy into the built environment is a strategic priority. Photovoltaics (PV), especially Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), offer a dual benefit: generating clean electricity while serving as functional building elements. However, large scale deployment remains limited due to technological, economic, and aesthetic barriers.
The SPHINX project (Sustainable Photovoltaics Integration in buildings and Infrastructure for multiple applications) addresses these challenges by developing a new generation of integrated PV (IPV) solutions. These include lightweight modules, solar tiles, and semi transparent panels that are multifunctional, visually appealing, and easy to install. SPHINX supports European technological sovereignty by establishing pilot scale production in the EU and reducing reliance on imports. In its first 18 months, SPHINX has focused on innovation, scale up, and demonstration. A key innovation is matrix shingling interconnection, enabling modular, high efficiency PV tailored for different applications. New coatings and encapsulation materials improve performance, durability, and aesthetics, including UV downshifting, IR reflective layers, and anti glare surfaces.
Five demonstration sites across Europe will validate SPHINX technologies in real settings such as residential buildings, heritage roofs, carports, and noise barriers. These show how PV can match architectural and historical requirements while delivering reliable energy output.
SPHINX is building a European supply chain for integrated PV, with pilot production lines improving efficiency, customisation, and automation, preparing for 300 MW future capacity. It explores business models to accelerate uptake and reduce costs by up to 40% through better design and scaled production. SPHINX supports EU initiatives such as the Renovation Wave, Climate Neutral and Smart Cities, and the New European Bauhaus, and works closely with industry and end users to ensure solutions are practical and scalable.
Environmental and circular economy goals are central. SPHINX technologies are designed for recyclability and use lower impact materials. Local production is expected to cut the carbon footprint by 40%. Integrated PV also offsets building energy use by generating electricity on site, even in locations unsuitable for traditional panels.
In summary, SPHINX pioneers European made, visually appealing, and versatile photovoltaic elements. By addressing key barriers, it lays the base for widespread adoption of integrated photovoltaics.
The SPHINX project (Sustainable Photovoltaics Integration in buildings and Infrastructure for multiple applications) addresses these challenges by developing a new generation of integrated PV (IPV) solutions. These include lightweight modules, solar tiles, and semi transparent panels that are multifunctional, visually appealing, and easy to install. SPHINX supports European technological sovereignty by establishing pilot scale production in the EU and reducing reliance on imports. In its first 18 months, SPHINX has focused on innovation, scale up, and demonstration. A key innovation is matrix shingling interconnection, enabling modular, high efficiency PV tailored for different applications. New coatings and encapsulation materials improve performance, durability, and aesthetics, including UV downshifting, IR reflective layers, and anti glare surfaces.
Five demonstration sites across Europe will validate SPHINX technologies in real settings such as residential buildings, heritage roofs, carports, and noise barriers. These show how PV can match architectural and historical requirements while delivering reliable energy output.
SPHINX is building a European supply chain for integrated PV, with pilot production lines improving efficiency, customisation, and automation, preparing for 300 MW future capacity. It explores business models to accelerate uptake and reduce costs by up to 40% through better design and scaled production. SPHINX supports EU initiatives such as the Renovation Wave, Climate Neutral and Smart Cities, and the New European Bauhaus, and works closely with industry and end users to ensure solutions are practical and scalable.
Environmental and circular economy goals are central. SPHINX technologies are designed for recyclability and use lower impact materials. Local production is expected to cut the carbon footprint by 40%. Integrated PV also offsets building energy use by generating electricity on site, even in locations unsuitable for traditional panels.
In summary, SPHINX pioneers European made, visually appealing, and versatile photovoltaic elements. By addressing key barriers, it lays the base for widespread adoption of integrated photovoltaics.
In its first 18 months, the SPHINX project focused on developing advanced integrated photovoltaic products and preparing their production at industrial scale. Three product types were designed and prototyped: lightweight modules for industrial rooftops, solar tiles for residential and architectural facades, and semi-transparent modules for carports and noise barriers. These solutions aim to deliver clean energy generation while meeting structural and aesthetic requirements.
A flexible pilot production line was established at Fraunhofer using matrix shingling technology, enabling efficient manufacturing of varied module formats. Over 1,000 modules were produced during this period, incorporating innovative materials such as UV-absorbing and infrared-reflective encapsulants, as well as anti-glare and self-cleaning surface coatings. Reliability testing, including thermal cycling, damp heat, and UV exposure, was conducted on various configurations. While several designs showed good durability, others required technical refinement, particularly in interconnection methods for harsh environments. This led to the development of improved solutions, such as electrically conductive adhesives and enhanced encapsulants. In parallel, five full-scale demonstrator sites were prepared across France, Germany and Switzerland. These include installations on carports, heritage buildings, residential rooftops, industrial renovations, and infrastructure elements like noise barriers. The demonstrators are designed to validate installation procedures, system performance, and visual integration in real-life conditions.
A flexible pilot production line was established at Fraunhofer using matrix shingling technology, enabling efficient manufacturing of varied module formats. Over 1,000 modules were produced during this period, incorporating innovative materials such as UV-absorbing and infrared-reflective encapsulants, as well as anti-glare and self-cleaning surface coatings. Reliability testing, including thermal cycling, damp heat, and UV exposure, was conducted on various configurations. While several designs showed good durability, others required technical refinement, particularly in interconnection methods for harsh environments. This led to the development of improved solutions, such as electrically conductive adhesives and enhanced encapsulants. In parallel, five full-scale demonstrator sites were prepared across France, Germany and Switzerland. These include installations on carports, heritage buildings, residential rooftops, industrial renovations, and infrastructure elements like noise barriers. The demonstrators are designed to validate installation procedures, system performance, and visual integration in real-life conditions.
SPHINX has achieved a range of technical advances that go significantly beyond current building-integrated photovoltaic solutions. These results introduce new capabilities in terms of product functionality, manufacturing flexibility, and integration into complex built environments. A key innovation is the matrix shingling interconnection method, which enables efficient, compact, and visually seamless solar modules. This approach supports the design of photovoltaic elements that fit on challenging surfaces such as facades, heritage rooftops, and transport infrastructure, where standard solar panels are unsuitable. SPHINX also introduced multifunctional encapsulants and coatings that enhance performance and durability. These include UV downshifting layers that boost energy output and protect solar cells, infrared reflective layers that reduce heat buildup, and coatings that provide anti-glare and self-cleaning properties. All materials were developed with scalability in mind and are compatible with industrial processes. A flexible pilot production line was successfully established, allowing for efficient manufacturing of customised photovoltaic products with reduced changeover time and improved automation. This manufacturing model opens the door to cost-effective production of diverse and architecturally integrated PV solutions. To fully realise the potential of these results, several actions are needed. These include the development of appropriate certification and testing pathways, improved access to investment for industrial scale-up, and clear guidance for integrating new PV products into building codes. Continued demonstration and performance monitoring will also be essential to build market confidence and inform policy and design practice.