PRO-S: The first highly energy efficient and eco-friendly bio based-photovoltaic module that works without sunlight or battery consumption for Smart buildings

Project Information

PRO-S

Grant agreement ID: 889190

DOI

10.3030/889190

Project closed

EC signature date 22 November 2019

Start date 1 December 2019

End date 30 April 2020

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

PROTON NEW ENERGY FUTURE SL
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PRO-S (PRO-S: The first highly energy efficient and eco-friendly bio based-photovoltaic module that works without sunlight or battery consumption for Smart buildings)

Reporting period: 2019-12-01 to 2020-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy appears as a very attractive candidate with potential to partially replace fossil fuels for electricity generation. Unfortunately, current PV technology is weather dependent, toxic, unrecyclable and dependent on expensive raw materials. PROTON is a Spanish technological company, based in Barcelona, specialized in developing biotech products for the clean energy industry. The company was established in 2015 with the mission to accelerate the energy transition towards renewable energy through the development of innovative solutions based on state-of-the-Art science in the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology and photochemistry. PROTON’s PRO-S® will be the first 100% recyclable bio-based PV module in the market, capable of producing electricity even on low solar-radiation conditions thanks to its patented technology that uses bacterial proteins to absorb visible and UV light.

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

During the Feasibility Study, we reached to the conclusion that the layer arrangement of our current prototypes will be modified by applying the protein onto amorphous silicon cells instead of onto a proton-exchange membrane to increase its power output and enabling 100% recyclability of the module’s components. Also, the module’s glass layers will be exchanged for ETFE to make them semi-transparent and flexible and a new panel hybrid connection arrangement will be used to connect the panels. Furthermore, a newly in-house developed 3mm-think lithium battery will be added to the module for off-grid systems. We estimated our initial addressable market to be around 2 GWp.

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)

PROTON’s PRO-S® will be the first 100% recyclable bio-based PV module in the market, capable of efficiently (16% efficiency) producing electricity even on low solar-radiation conditions (60% more efficient than conventional panels in low radiation conditions) thanks to its patented technology that uses bacterial proteins to absorb visible and UV light. Our PV panels are fully recyclable due to enabling the complete separation of its layers without damaging them. Furthermore, we have developed an innovative panel-connection system that switches between a parallel or series configuration to constantly obtain the plate’s maximum performance. PRO-S will help the European Union achieve the objectives proposed in the Green Deal by providing reliable renewable energy to buildings (Europe’s single largest energy consumer in Europe) while being non-toxic (protein powered) and fully recyclable.

Devised arrangement for the PV plates in PRO-S

3mm-wide Lithium battery developed by PROTON

First PRO-S® prototype. It is not flexible and opaque.