Long-life, high-efficiency PV modules a step closer

Availability of longer life, higher efficiency, multifunctional solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, which also function as integrated building products, is one step closer to commercial reality as a European consortium led by TULiPPS B.V. (parent of TULiPPS Solar B.V.) has just been approved to receive €4-million/$5.5-million USD funding from the European Commission to build and validate smart, lightweight PV modules.

These modules are designed to eliminate long-standing issues with conventional modules, which are heavy, unattractive, and are offered in very few sizes so can be difficult to fit in many odd-size locations on typical roofs and building walls.  The new consortium aims to fix all of these issues and more under a project called SUMMIT, which seeks to develop a more durable, energy efficient, lighter weight, lower cost PV module platform that can be used for sloped or flat roofs and as building cladding.

During the next three years, SUMMIT consortium members will demonstrate industrial manufacturability of these novel PV-module concepts, as well as overall module efficiency and durability, ease of installation and utilization, and applicability to various types of PV applications ? features representing breakthrough long-life PV modules with record power output, the lowest installation and system costs, and the lowest carbon footprint on the market today.

According to Paul Stassen, consortium leader and TULiPPS B.V. founder and CEO, "The really exciting thing about this project is that we have brought together the best partners representing the most innovative PV module technologies currently available. This consortium represents the entire module supply chain, from upstream equipment suppliers, to downstream engineering/ procurement/construction (EPC) firms, and even testing/certification organizations. Working together, we will integrate all these leading-edge technologies into a single multifunctional module platform that provides a remarkable combination of value-added features that have never been packaged together before. We are going to demonstrate just howvaluable and powerful that combination is in a number of public demonstration projects over the next few years."

Key members of the SUMMIT consortium and their unique technologies include Eurotron B.V.,       Femtogrid Energy Solutions B.V., Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology, IBC-Solar B.V., IBC-Solar AG, Kiwa Italy S.p.A. Rimas Technology Group B.V., TE Connectivity Nederland B.V., TULiPPS B.V., Uniresearch B.V., and Yparex B.V.

Since most of the technologies that will be showcased in the demonstration projects are already commercial or near commercial, one of the first steps that the new SUMMIT consortium will tackle is finalizing R&D efforts and then identifying highly visible demonstration projects in the European Union where the next-generation modules will be installed and evaluated. Stassen notes that there already is considerable interest from a variety of municipal and commercial building owners, so his team's greatest challenge will be finding the right location for the first demonstration project, which is expected to be up and running by third quarter 2014.