Objective
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The project is directed to lowering the cost of photovoltaic modules designed for integration into building facades by 40% by incorporating a compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) into a photovoltaic laminate. The CPC is a non-tracking concentrator and can achieve up to three times concentration. This means that only one third of the high cost silicon solar cell area used in conventional flat plate panels need be used in this structure. Novel designs of CPC are necessary together with new cell sizes and innovative module encapsulation techniques. External testing of prototypes will take place in Greece and Germany to validate the output of the new facade element in real environments.
TECHNICAL APPROACH
The novel thin CPC required for the facade will be designed using existing software for CPC design and methods of fabricating the CPC will be investigated including extrusion and laser forming. The solar cells will be developed from the existing laser grooved buried grid process for concentrator cells. The cells will be much narrower than is normally the case and new methods of cell interconnection and mounting will be developed derived from present practice in concentration modules for use at 20 suns. Prototype facades of typically 0.5 m2 will produced using by adapting exiting photovoltaic facade encapsulation technology.. A full cost of product will be projected for 5 MWp pa production using the standard cost methodologies of the industrial partners.
EXPECTED ACHIEVEMENTS AND EXPLOITATION
It is expected that the improved facade module will have an efficiency of 15% and will generate the same amount of power as a conventional facade of identical area. The reduction in active cell area should reduce the cost of photovoltaic facades by 40% when replicated in high volume. This dramatic reduction in cost should lead to rapid growth in the market for photovoltaic facades where present costs are seen as major barriers to large scale implementation of photovoltaics in buildings. The two industrial partners are well placed to exploit commercially such a breakthrough. The market could be as large as 10 MWp pa world-wide by 2005 giving major exports for European companies as well as increased employment in Europe and reduced carbon dioxide emission throughout the world up to 105 tonnes pa at the 10 MWp pa installation rate.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- social sciences economics and business business and management employment
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy solar energy photovoltaic
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
TW167XA SUNBURY-ON-THAMES
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.