Next-generation transparent PV for Building Integrated Photovoltaics

Project Information

cs-BIPV-FS

Grant agreement ID: 887915

DOI 10.3030/887915

Closed project

EC signature date 30 October 2019

Start date 1 November 2019

End date 31 January 2020

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost € 71 429,00

EU contribution € 50 000,00

Coordinated by

CRYSTALSOL OU
Estonia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - cs-BIPV-FS (Next-generation transparent PV for Building Integrated Photovoltaics)

Reporting period: 2019-11-01 to 2020-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Roughly 40% of the current global energy demand is consumed in commercial and residential buildings. Thanks to advances in technology, Building Integrated PhotoVoltaics (BIPV) have emerged, enabling all buildings to become electricity producers and strive towards self-sustainability.
Due to stringent energy efficiency norms in the EU, demand for BIPV products is soaring: PV incorporated in shells of multi-story buildings is required for supplying these high rise structures with energy. Yet, truly integrated and aesthetic BIPV modules are currently neither available in commercial volumes nor at sustainable costs. Prices of products with still limited adaptability hinder the actual market growth.
crystalsol addresses these shortcomings with a patented and entirely new type of cost-efficient, flexible and transparent PV technology where advantages of an efficient and stable monocrystalline absorber and low cost roll-to-roll (R2R) module production are combined.
This Feasibility Study (cs-BIPV-FS) helped to bring crystalsol closer to the market entry stage. It will be a first step towards full commercialisation before upscaling the company’s operations and production processes.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The main actions and related results were divided into 3 parts:
1. Analysis of the market and competitors
This task included reviewing published market reports, industry studies and analysis, and interviewing the industry players, research centres and potential customers to gain information about the target market status and future forecasts. Competition situation has been analysed and the competitors list updated.
The range of potential applications for crystalsol’s product is very broad, but due to the inherent advantages for applications in BIPV, crystalsol focuses mainly on this market segment.
crystalsol’s BIPV module is a flexible and customisable product with ideal characteristics for true and aesthetic integration in windows, facades and rooftop applications of any type. crystalsol’s technology successful implementation is highly achievable due to the cost-efficient and easily scalable production technology and versatile product offering, satisfying the increasing demand from different sub-segments of the building industry.
The market overview showed that many of crystalsol’s main competitors lack market traction due to shortcomings of their technology. Therefore, weak competition does not pose a hindering effect to enter the market. crystalsol’s products are suitable for true integration into facades and glass surfaces where using BIPV was previously not an option due to the weight, cost and appearance of the modules.
2. Updating crystalsol business plan
Taking the existing business plan of crystalsol as the basis, a detailed commercialisation plan has been devised for an up-scaled technology scenario. crystalsol’s commercialisation strategy is constructed around the idea to develop and produce low cost PV modules for versatile integration into building material for B2B sales in the construction industry.
3. IPR management
crystalsol has reviewed the current patent situation to adjust and update the IPR management plan as a preparation for the market entry.
As part of crystalsol's patenting process, the novelty claims of all crystalsol’s patents have been reviewed against existing patents. No IPR obstacles have been identified, meaning crystalsol has the full freedom to operate in all of the target markets.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

With the Feasibility Study cs-BIPV-FS, crystalsol continued its progress towards the market entry of its BIPV-products. Next step is to put the study results in practice and continue with the commercialisation of the products.

crystalsol transparent BIPV