From proof of concept to a market-ready product – successful technology transfer as part of the NRP 70
SWISSPANEL SOLAR, developed as part of the National Research Programme “Energy Turnaround” (NRP 70), is a successful example of application-oriented research and technology transfer.
With SWISSPANEL SOLAR, Glas Trösch presented a new product at the Swissbau trade fair in Basel. The colourfully printed glass has been optimised for the production of photovoltaic modules. PV module manufacturers, which use glass to cover PV cells, can therefore use a front glass which can be given a colourful design according to individual requirements.
With the international patent-pending digital ceramic printing process, the opacity of every basic colour is optimised for the desired electrical efficiency and an even illumination of the PV cells. Without this optimisation, the efficiency losses and thermal loads from partial shading in the module could be uncontrollably high.
The visually and energetically optimised printing was developed as part of the NRP 70 joint project “Building-integrated photovoltaics” at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and implemented in pilot and demonstration projects by the technology transfer partner ÜserHuus.
In February, in cooperation with the Swiss Competence Center for Energy Research – “Future and Energy Efficient Buildings and Districts”, a coloured PV façade with structured low-reflection glass will be installed on the NEST building of EMPA in Dübendorf.