COLT PV LIGHT - INNOVATION IN PHOTOVOLTAICS - THE LIGHTWEIGHT SOLAR SHADING ALTERNATIVE
R&D Project: lightweight photovoltaic solar shading louvre system Leaflet (0.7 MB)
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Along with other partners as part of a EU-funded project, Colt has succeeded in developing a lightweight photovoltaic solar shading louvre system, with enhanced electricity generating and daylighting performance.
The potential of solar tracked photovoltaic (PV) glass louvres was demonstrated at the Wirtschaftshof Linz project, which achieved the generation of 60% of the building's total electrical requirements as well as a high thermal and visual comfort level for the building users. The solar shading louvres used a Colt Girasol sun tracking system.
The PV Light photovoltaic louvre system has a total weight of approximately 17.2 kg / m² compared to a similar conventional glazed Shadovoltaic louvre system of approximately 45 kg / m². This is because the PV element has reduced in weight by more than 80% due to the fact that it is a membrane rather than a rigid structure. This structure lends itself to custom designs since the PV laminate can be produced at a standard size with later local adaptation.
Since a PV Light photovoltaic louvre system is both lightweight and efficient, the energy harvest from the PV cells can be extended further. Photovoltaic cells can be used in a wider series of applications to form an integral part of the building envelope, substituting conventional building elements such as conventional solar shading louvres or brise soleil, or being more easily applied to such structures as canopy systems.
Features and benefits:
- Reduction of heat
- Reduction of cooling loads and artificial lighting requirements
- Generation of electricity from a renewable source
- Reduction of glare
- Lightweight thus reduced loads, simpler support structure
- Can be manufactured in standard sizes and custom designed thus reducing cost and increasing flexibility
- Aesthetically pleasing appearance
The project consortium consisted of the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) (D), Gebaeude-Solarsysteme GSS (D), Würth Solar GmbH (D), Isovolta (A) and Colt International B.V. (NL).
The test facility that was built at the start of the project (see right) continues to be used by Colt und ZSW to confirm thermal and daylighting simulations, as well as to test the varying mechanical properties of different PV films.
Colt is working towards achieving an IEC 61215 certificate for the PV Light louvre system.
Link to general information on Colt's Architectural Solutions products and systems
