Construct PV project: developing aesthetic and cost-effective choices for PV modules

The goal of the Construct PV project is to convert the standard industrial PV module into a product that offers greater design flexibility to meet the needs and requirements of different socio-geographic areas. A further aim of the research is to create a design catalogue with aesthetic and cost-effective choices for PV modules – and bring these possibilities to the European market, together with partners in the PV manufacturing industry.

A BIPV solar shingles consists of a durable glazed panel (containing crystalline solar cells) integrated in a waterproofing back-sheet layer made of a bitumen-based membrane. Collection of output data on the prototype electrical efficiency, measured in real conditions, allows comparing the behavior of the solar shingle with existing products on the market, installed in the same conditions, as a comparison benchmark. Furthermore, it has been developed a mobile façade mock-up to demonstrate variants and possibilities in terms of architectural and technological design/manufacturing of BIPV systems for the building skin.