Solar cells can be integrated into smartphones, roads, car roofs and window glass. Solar energy, and in particular thin-film PV technology, is ideally suited for integration into existing products or applications. In densely populated areas, the opportunities lie mainly in construction. Flexible and semi-transparent panels can be incorporated into curved roofs, in façade panels or glass. This is known as ‘BIPV’ (Building-Integrated Photovoltaics). But the automobile industry also sees a future in invisible solar film on steel. Theoretically, there are myriad possibilities. The major challenge is to develop processes and machines that allow for cost effective production.
Solliance is constantly working on new PV technology applications together with market partners. These applications range from flexible solar panels in roads (SolaRoad) to semi-transparent PV films for integration in building components for car parts. Solliance must develop with its partners the requirements of new semi-finished products. The market can rely on Solliance for knowledge of photovoltaic technology. We translate what has been proven in labs into production processes. We investigate the performance of different materials and how they can best be processed. The ultimate goal is to help find economical ways to manufacture innovative and efficient PV products.
The idea behind SolaRoad is that it is a road surface that absorbs sunlight and converts it into electricity. TNO, which is also active within Solliance, stood at the cradle of the idea, which was developed together with government and industry. The first tangible result was a 70-meter-long SolaRoad bike path, built in 2014 in Krommenie, in North Holland. Traditional c-Si panels were used in the bike path, but thin-film PV technology could also have worked very well. Further research into SolaRoad is currently focused mainly on:
- How to further reduce the construction costs.
- How to ensure adequate grip on the road surface.
- How to keep the maintenance costs of the road surface low.
- How to make the road surface resistant to heavy vehicles.
SEAC, which cooperates with Solliance and is housed in the same building, was closely involved in the creation of AERspire. AERspire is a young, innovative company that supplies aesthetic and roof covering PV systems based on c-Si technology. The system was first used in SolarBEAT, the testing ground of SEAC, on the premises of TU Eindhoven. Meanwhile, it has also appeared in several new construction projects in the Netherlands.