This project demonstrates a way of treatment of low price PV modules by sandblasting and coating. The treatment converts the shiny black PV-modules into anthracite and mat elements with a soft appearance. The modules are installed on the facade of a 100% energy autarkical multi-family house. The house has neither a grid nor a gas connection. The energy supply of the house1 comes only from its PV facade and its PV roof and provides normal comfort for the habitants. For the PV facade more than half of the amorphous silicon modules are cut to size at the manufacturer. The special size modules appear without any optical difference compared to normal size modules. The modules were delivered to a Swiss company for sandblasting and coating. For the mounting, the installer glued rails onto the modules backside.
The findings in the project can be summarized as following
- Laboratory tests show, that the influence of the surface treatment to the modules energy yield can be neglected. Real outdoor tests on the roof of CSTB and on the building are running.
- A low cost mounting structure without visible support hocks were developed and applied.
- As a result of a risk analysis, the resistance of the sandblasted modules against cast shadow effects has been examined in detail.
- The applied hydrophobic coating causes in the beginning some changes of colours depending on the viewer's angel. The effect gives the facade an active and vintage kind of appearance. The effect will disappear after some month
- The tailor made special size modules are at low cost. But its long delivery time leads to costs for planning and measuring. The order of spare pat modules is cumbersome.
