Innovative PV Building Designs Demonstrated in Task 16

The largest photovoltaics building in northern Europe and two innovative PV modules are demonstrating to building owners, designers, and engineers that PV modules not only supply energy, but, when properly designed and integrated, can serve as part of the building envelope or weatherskin.

UK Task 16 Demo Building

A photovoltaic facade was installed on the south-facing elevation during refurbishment of the Northumberland building which is located at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (UK). The PV array is rated at 39.5 kWp and provides power for the computer center inside the building. If demand within the building is low, excess power is exported to the local utility. The PV laminates are integrated into the rainscreen cladding system and hence form part of the weatherskin of the building. The cladding units are inclined at 25 to the vertical, which not only enhances the overall output of the system but also provides shading to the offices below.

Since the official opening in January 1995, the facade has been generating virtually non-stop. This is the first project of its kind in the UK and the largest in northern Europe.

The Northumberland building is one of seventeen demonstration projects which are part of Task 16 (Photovoltaics in Buildings).

PHOTO CAPTION: Northumberland Building

New Technologies at the Task 16 Demosite

Two new pavilions were erected at the Task 16 Demosite during the first part of 1995. Both demonstrate innovative integration techniques for PV modules.

UNI-SOLAR Pavilion

The first pavilion demonstrates a unique technology developed by United Solar Systems Corporation of Troy, Michigan (USA) which produces rugged, flexible solar cells which are not glass-encapsulated. These are manufactured in a continuous roll-to-roll process in which thin layers of amorphous silicon alloy material are deposited on stainless steel substrates. Current production cells employ double junction (tandem) devices. New production will incorporate higher efficiency triple junction cells.

This product has many architectural possibilities thanks to its flexibility and non-glass structure. One obvious example is as a photovoltaic roofing element. In collaboration with EPFL, a tile design was developed which is both practical and aesthetic.

The key feature is the overlapping of the upper module over the lower module to ensure water resistance as with ordinary roofing tiles. The module design simplifies installation with a 180 fold at the bottom that is fastened with a cleat and some screws. This new module is also folded 90 on the left and right ends to allow fastening with clips and to allow space for cabling. Lateral water resistance is easily obtained with a vertical flashing placed on the clips.

For more information: United Solar Systems Corp., 1100 W. Maple, Troy, MI 48084, USA, Fax: 1/810 362 4442.

Japanese MSK Pavilion

The other pavilion is a joint initiative of Misawa Homes, a large manufacturer of pre-fabricated houses, and MSK Corporation, a manufacturer of PV modules, which have developed a new type of photovoltaic roofing. Currently the only photovoltaic building element on the Japanese market, the modules are exactly the dimension of half a tatami mat (91 x 91 cm). And because of their size and blue-ish color, they are particularly well-adapted to Japanese architecture. Moreover, they are made of weather-resistant material which is lighter than most types of tiles or slate. They are light enough for easy handling yet big enough for quick mounting. With 49 PV cells, every module provides a nominal power of 82 W. Its frame in matte black anodized aluminum is practical (mounted like tiles) and aesthetic at the same time. This system uses Solarex (U.S.) PV modules.

For more information: MSK Corporation, Sumitomo Bldg 19-F, 6-1 Nishi-shinjuku 2-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-02, Japan. Fax: 81/3 3342 6534.

CAPTION: MSK Pavilion at the Task 16 Demosite.

The Task 16 Demosite was established to test and demonstrate the best methods for integrating photovoltaics into buildings. Located at the Ecole Polytechnique Federal de Lausanne (EPFL) and funded by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, the site has been visited by more than 5 visitors a day since it opened in 1992.