The development of integrated PV modules is a complex process. Several design aspects and performance indicators must be considered simultaneously: Manufacturing, cost, weight, structural strength, fire protection, electrical efficiency and energy yield, reliability and lifetime, aesthetics and circularity – all these factors need to be included. To accelerate module innovations of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in the future, the research project DELIGHT aims to develop and validate a holistic design process.
The international project consortium will comprehensively address all mentioned aspects of PV integration into buildings and infrastructure. Different approaches and designs for lightweight PV modules will be investigated, answering research questions on cell technology, interconnection, encapsulation, and manufacturing and recycling aspects. A special focus is on shading resistant modular architectures. Furthermore, various innovative possibilities for the technical and optical integration of PV are examined.
In the course of the project DELIGHT, several demonstrators with lightweight PV will be integrated into buildings and infrastructure and measured. Using predefined “performance indicators” that capture economic, environmental, energy and visual performance, a comparison of the different types of lightweight modules will be made. Finally, an evaluation of the energy yield and long-term stability is carried out.
Funding: FFG / SOLAR-ERA.NET Joint Call 2021
Project consortium:
- Lead: Polymer Competence Center Leoben
- Österreichisches Forschungsinstitut für Chemie und Technik (OFI)
- Rembrandtin
- EPFL
- Solaxess
- IMEC
- Econcore
- TU Delft
- Solarge
- Kalyon PV
