Solar Panel Stores Both Electricity and Heat
March 6, 2019 | GeminiEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Moreover, researchers have succeeded in increasing its output dramatically by providing the panel with its own cooling system.
All over the world people are moving to the cities. This increases the demand for eco-friendly and locally-sourced electricity, and is the basis for the research project called PV-Adapt.
One answer to new energy demands is to install building-integrated PV (BIPV) cells, either in the form of roof tiles or facade elements. However, the feasibility of this will require lower costs and more efficient output.
Building-integrated PV cells that supply both heat and electricity have been developed at SINTEF’s solar cell lab in Trondheim. The project has 17 other partners in ten countries.
“Our aim is to manufacture self-cooling, building-integrated PV cells. Self-cooling will dramatically increase the electrical output of the cells”, explains SINTEF Project Manager Martin Bellmann.
An illustration from the PV-adapt project, which is a major EU project involving several partners from many countries.
The PV cells become very hot even if the outside temperature isn’t particularly high. On a good day, according to SINTEF, its test panels may often reach temperatures of 60 degrees. However, this heat causes output to fall from 16% to 12%. This is the reason why the new PV cells are fitted with a separate component to cool them down.
Moreover, the new solar panel stores the heat generated as the sun shines on it. This means that the maximum output can be extracted.
This is achieved using an integrated tubing system that serves as a heat exchanger enabling it to heat water, for example.
The tubing system is being developed by Brunel University in London and Flint Engineering. The solar panels are supplied by the French company Apollo Solar, while SINTEF is developing the system used to integrate the tubing network in the PV cells. The demonstration projects have proven a high TRL (Technology Readiness Level).
Modular Construction
“The concept involves a modular construction that makes it easy both to install and remove roof- and facade-mounted PV cells”, explains Bellmann.
It will now be tested and verified at SINTEF’s own full-scale facility at Gløshaugen in Trondheim.
“There we will not only be able to look into how the panels work under real-life conditions, but also to test different types of installation. This may have major significance for the performance of the PV cells”, explains Bellmann’s colleague Eivind Øverlid, a Research Manager at SINTEF.
The project was launched last autumn, and is receiving NOK 92 million in funding as part of the EU’s Horizon programme.
Suggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/03/2024 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007This week’s most important news is strategic—and telling. When one puts together the IPC industry reports, we simply have to include the recent conversation with Shawn DuBravac and Tom Kastner. On the design side, check out the latest “On The Line With…” podcast featuring Brad Griffin from Cadence Design Systems, discussing SI and PI in the realm of intelligent system design.
Industrial PC Market Size to Record $1.75 Billion Growth from 2023-2027
05/03/2024 | PRNewswireThe global industrial pc market size is estimated to grow by USD 1.75 billion from 2023 to 2027, according to Technavio. This growth is expected to occur at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of almost 6.29% during the forecast period.
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Sigma Engineering's Recycling and Regeneration Systems for PCB Etching
05/02/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOEvan Howard of Schmoll America interviews Kristoffer Bjorklund, Sigma Engineering's supply chain manager. We learn about Sigma's recycling and regeneration systems for PCB industry etching and the benefits and challenges of implementing these systems in existing factories.
Boeing T-7A Red Hawk Triples Progress
05/01/2024 | BoeingThe Boeing T-7A Red Hawk achieved three recent milestones, propelling the advanced pilot trainer for the U.S. Air Force forward.
Merlin Flex invests in New Schmoll Direct Imaging System
04/30/2024 | Merlin Flex LtdMerlin Flex has fully installed and commissioned its 2nd Schmoll MDI Direct Imaging system. This new machine includes a twin bed, 4 head system which enhances Merlin Flex’s direct imaging capability for its 1.4M long flexible circuits.