African Design Magazine October 2014 | Page 91

Feature: Solar glass BIPV glass as a key technology for zero-energy houses, roll vapour-depositing or roll pressing. In autumn, which due to new building guidelines in the USA and the East German plant and machinery manufacturer Europe, will become the standard in future. 3D-Micromac will supply the first solar energy producer with machines for the roll-to-roll processing The photovoltaics industry is already preparing itself of thin layers. “Flexible, cost-effectively produced for the technological challenges. Companies such as photovoltaics could become a major trend”, explains 3D Heliatek or Belectric OPV can now create completely expert Thomas Kießling. transparent solar films which can function as invisible power plants. In addition to the manufacturers of In order to successfully move BIPV forward, the organic photovoltaics, an increasing number of glass and photovoltaics industry must however thin-layer module producers are also developing work together more closely in future. Which solar photovoltaic films. For example Miasolé from cells are suitable, who integrates the solar films in California, subsidiary of the Chinese Hanergy group, the construction glass, what could the cost of all this is using photoactive copper films to now reach an be? “There are still many open questions”, says Timo efficiency level of over 14 percent – almost as much as Feuerbach, speaker from the Glass Technology Forum what is possible with conventional silicon modules. within the German Engineering Federation (VDMA). At the glasstec “Solar meets Glass” Congress from 20 – 21 With the trend towards solar film, new production October 2014, the sectors will have the opportunity to methods are also becoming the focus of attention. pave the way for cooperations – and thus bring the City