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Building-integrated fibre-reinforced solar technology

Objective

BFIRST project will deal with the design, development and demonstration of a portfolio of innovative photovoltaic products for building integration, based on cell encapsulation within fibre-reinforced composite materials. Currently available photovoltaic products will be expanded with new standardized solutions developed to a pre-industrial stage.



Composite material manufacturing and cell encapsulation take place in a single-step process. The produced modules are monolithic, lightweight structures, in contrast with currently available glass-based multilayer modules. A high versatility regarding complex geometries, transmittance levels, colours and surface finishing can be achieved from different materials (resins, fibres, additives) and processes (pre-preg, infusion, etc.).

Multifunctionality of the developed components will be addressed in order to comply with existing building codes and standards, with the specific goal of enhancing the global energy efficiency of the building.

Full architectural integration of the developed PV components within the building will be a main concern from the architecture and construction companies joining the consortium. Both new constructions and retrofitting, as well as residential and non-residential buildings will be considered.



Laboratory testing and demonstration in experimental and three “real” buildings will be carried out in order to offer a complete characterisation which helps designers, installers and final users making an optimal profit of the possibilities of the products.



As a result of testing and monitoring results, pre-normative issues will also be addressed by the consortium, in the case that a lack of specific regulation within building codes and standards on some of the characteristics of these products is clearly detected.



The consortium is composed by architects, construction companies, photovoltaic manufacturers, universities and private research centres.

Keywords

Call for proposal

FP7-ENERGY-2011-2
See other projects for this call

Coordinator

FUNDACION TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION
EU contribution
No data
Address
PARQUE CIENTIFICO Y TECNOLOGICO DE GIPUZKOA, PASEO MIKELETEGI 2
20009 DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIAN (GIPUZKOA)
Spain

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Region
Noreste País Vasco Gipuzkoa
Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Eduardo Roman (Dr.)
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (8)