Modular PV Systems Made of Aluminum

Building-integrated photovoltaics has become increasingly important in recent years as a technology for supplying electrical energy. This involves integrating solar modules into the structure of buildings. In a new project at the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP, production processes are being researched to determine how photovoltaic modules can be connected to aluminum components that are themselves part of a building.

The German government has set a target of covering 65 percent of electricity consumption from renewable energy sources by 2030. Photovoltaics (PV) will play an important role in this, as it is a cost-efficient and widely available renewable energy source. Given the potential offered by façade surfaces and their diverse shape and design options, the project partners see great potential for combining and merging the two industries. In addition, the spatial proximity between consumers and producers of electrical power means that building-integrated PV will be an important component in the expansion of renewable energy supply.

This is where the AluPV project comes in. The project is a collaboration between Fraunhofer CSP, MN Metall GmbH, VHF Plan Liesenhoff, Baltic Renewable Partners GmbH & Co. KG, solarnative GmbH, and the Institute for Solar Energy Research GmbH.

The research partners are investigating issues relating to construction production technology and developing new manufacturing processes and material combinations by combining metal construction for facades with the possibilities offered by the photovoltaic industry.

"We want to implement a new type of composite of aluminum facades and PV modules. The focus is also on the further development of lightweight profiles in order to minimize the overall weight. Instead of laboriously concealing the solar cells, however, an innovative modular facade system is being developed that allows new degrees of freedom in the design of PV-activated facades,“ says Ringo Köpge, a member of the ”PV Modules, Components, and Manufacturing" group at Fraunhofer CSP.

The electrical concept and mechanical suspension for quick and easy installation and replacement of building-integrated photovoltaic modules, as well as their ecological and economical material combination, are also the focus of the research.