Abstract
(English)
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Introduction
Although innovative mounting concepts are currently being developed for PV in tilted and flat roofs, this is not the case for PV facades. At the moment, PV facades offer a low adaptability to the building grid, still use tailor-made solutions and do require time consuming(and costly) installation techniques. Furthermore, only a limited number of facade technologies are available, i.e. curtain wall and add-on systems, all tailor made solutions leading to high prices. To achieve a breakthrough in the market, low cost concepts are required, the main reason for initiating PV en face!
Main objective
PV en face! aimed at the development of facade integration design concepts, with strong emphasis on low-cost, yet high-quality, building integration techniques. Main achievements to be reached included a costs level of 8 ~ 10 Euros/Wp or below.
Achievements
The LESO team developed a mounting concept based on an innovative frame and a new fastening system to achieve the following features:
¨ Adaptability to any existing standard laminate
¨ Very discreet appearance, both from front and side view
¨ Quick 'clip-on' system for easy facade mounting
¨ Low cost product, either for factory or do-it-yourself assembly
Activities 2001
The main activities for 2001 were the following:
¨ Start marketing process (publications, industry contacts)
¨ Prospect possibilities for building a pilot plant
¨ Build a demonstration façade at the Demosite
Several steps were taken to promote the results of the project:
¨ The company Schweizer Metallbau AG, already involved in the PV field with a similar product for tilted roofs was interested, but did not yet have enough workforce to integrate this product to their commercial catalog
¨ The company Wagner AG, specialised in the field of facade substructure and which provided elements for our demonstration stands is currently promoting Solface (commercial name of the product) and will most probably market it.
¨ We had advanced contacts to install two pilot plants using Solface (Minoteries de Plainpalais in Granges-près-Marnand (VD) and public administration building in Peseux (NE)), but for financial reasons (cost of PV), both were aborted
¨ We installed a demo facade at the Demosite (EPFL), showing both the product used with PV and it's possible use with tainted glass.
Although the project is now over, we are ready to transfer the necessary know-how to the company marketing the product.
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