Revolutionary, cost efficient bitumen rooftop membrane with integrated photovoltaic modules

The project goal is to adapt the photovoltaic (PV) modules of crystalsol and an appropriately designed production process in order to integrate the flexible photoactive layer cost-effectively into waterproof roof membranes. At the end of the project the first membranes with integrated PV-layers will be produced. The success of this project would lead to enormous cost cutting and technological development advantages in the BIPV technology.

Short Description

Status

ongoing

Summary

The worldwide photovoltaic (PV) industry has been in an atmosphere of continued growth for many years. Yearly growth rates of 40% on average have kept the PV industry extremely competitive. Compared to other renewable energy sectors Austria has so far not benefited significantly from the high global PV-growth, despite the availability of a broad market for penetration.

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are the solution of the future as they combine many practical advantages. One major advantage is that the façade of a building, its windows or roof tops can, aside from their usual purpose, act as power generators due to the multi-functionality of BIPV-modules. Therefore the generation of power will become an integral part of the building. At the moment production of BIPV-modules is still dominated by high production costs and the modules currently produced rarely conform to the market needs in terms of aesthetics and flexibility which are required for successful building integration. In cooperation with Soprema, crystalsol’s PV-modules and the cooperatively designed production process shall be adapted in order to integrate the flexible photoactive layer cost-effectively into waterproof roof membranes. The combination of crystalsol’s cost effective and flexible PV-technology with Soprema’s waterproof membranes allows producing electricity in addition to protecting the roof against weather conditions. At the end of the project the first roof membranes with integrated PV-layers will be produced; the membranes will be a major achievement due to the significantly lower production costs and adaptability. This guarantees a successful penetration of the building integrated photovoltaics market.

Project Partners

Project management

Christoph Glatz, MSc
crystalsol GmbH

Project or cooperation partners

Soprema AG

Contact Address

crystalsol GmbH
Christoph Glatz, MSc
Simmeringer Hauptstraße 24,
1110 Wien, Österreich
Tel.: +43 (1) 8901879-0
E-Mail: christoph.glatz@crystalsol.com
Web: www.crystalsol.com