The AiSoVol project (Photovoltaic generation solution for use as an alternative construction material in building) proposes the experimental development, manufacturing, and testing in a controlled environment of a modular, integrable, and multipurpose photovoltaic panel, capable of facilitating its use as an architectural element. Thus, the manufacturing of a ‘plug&play’ photovoltaic module will be implemented based on the design, manufacturing, and testing of photovoltaic modules by encapsulating their constituent electrical elements (cells and interconnections) with low-temperature sandwich-type lamination techniques, using different types of transparent thermoplastics instead of tempered glass, cohesion materials, and structural fiber frameworks, inspired by sail manufacturing technology for navigation, thus avoiding the need to use aluminum frames. This type of solution will allow the manufacture of lighter photovoltaic modules, with different geometries and varying degrees of structural flexibility.
Furthermore, to facilitate the electrical connectivity of the module, a prototype connection box will be developed that can be located on the outer edge of the photovoltaic module, also allowing ventilation that guarantees the integrity of the protection diodes housed inside.
Finally, and in compliance with the provisions of the Technical Building Code (CTE), including the correction of errors established in BOE 08/11/2013, the final product will be adapted to meet the minimum requirements established in the Basic Energy Saving Document, contributing to achieving a rational use of the energy necessary for the use of buildings. The solution includes the inclusion of a rear insulating sheet adhered to the ‘Backsheet’ (or rear sheet) of the photovoltaic module, which allows adequate limitation of the energy demand of the building’s thermal envelope, based on its insulation and inertia characteristics, air permeability and exposure to solar radiation, complying with the thermal transmittance values defined in the CTE.
The AiSoVol Project (Photovoltaic generation solution for use as an alternative construction material in building) is co-financed by FEDER funds, within the State R&D&i Program oriented to Societal Challenges, Challenge 3: Secure, efficient and clean energy challenge.
In the project, which began on October 1, 2015, and will end on September 30, 2018, the Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables, S.A. (ITER) participates as coordinator and the National Renewable Energy Center, Fundación CENER-CIEMAT, as partners. This project, co-financed by the European Union, has a total budget of €1,008,543.07, of which €849,495.70 has been financed within the aforementioned call, with a grant of €488,632.08.
Links of interest:
Presentation Day of the ‘AiSoVol Project – Photovoltaic Integration and Self-Consumption’
