Innovative Thin-Film Photovoltaic Modules for Active Building Envelopes

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Weller, Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Claudia Hemmerle, Dipl.-Ing. Stefan Unnewehr

As laminated glass panels, photovoltaic (PV) modules can serve as glazing elements in order to complement or substitute traditional façade units. In combination with other building materials, PV modules can be fabricated to provide additional features such as weatherproofing, solar protection and heat insulation.

In order to improve the acceptance of PV in new, existing or even listed buildings, innovative PV modules were developed. Due to their homogeneous appearance, thin-film cells are most suitable for this purpose. Opaque and semi-transparent modules using patterned, matt and coloured architectural glass as front covers allow a wide range of surface designs and have shown an acceptable performance loss. Numerical calculations, as well as component and material tests, have been carried out to prove the suitability of various laminates for the use in building skins.

These elements were aesthetically and mechanically adapted to be integrated into composite cladding panels for back-ventilated rain-screen façades based on a conventional façade system. Such panels comprise a foam glass support panel and an optionally coloured thin-film-PV-module. The adhesive bonding technique – without mechanically securing the cover glass – is a fundamental new PV application and allows plane façade surfaces.

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The Authors

	Prof. Dr. Bernhard Weller Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Building Construction Bernhard Weller is Professor of Civil Engineering at the Technische Universitaet Dresden and Director of the Institute of Building Construction. He has expertise in design, testing and use of glass. T... Read more
	Ms. Claudia Hemmerle Dipl.-Ing. (FH) TU Dresden, Institut für Baukonstruktion Read more