Integration of Solar Modules in Double Glazing Elements

Abstract

In order to fulfil the Paris climate goals a reduction of the CO2 footprint of buildings are mandatory. Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are a long-established approach to address this problem. However, high costs and the complexity of the installation have contributed to the fact that BIPV has not become widely used. Easily manufactured and installed double glazing elements with integrated Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin film solar modules can be a solution in this respect for buildings with glass facades. In this contribution, we present the realization of such insulating glass elements in full size with integrated PV in different configurations. However, the temperature behaviour of such a device is critical due to the impact on the performance of the solar module. We carried out outdoor tests in which the thermal properties were investigated and discuss the results with regard to the application on the building façade.