Organic photovoltaic: Italian scientists demonstrate the revolution of transparent and colorful solar modules

The colorful, efficient photovoltaic modules with a well -kept design are a possible reality. This is confirmed by a group of Italian scientists.

They will be “made in Italy” IVDesign photovoltaic Etri: a research team born from the collaboration between Eurac Research, a private applied research center based in Bolzano, and the CNR has recently published in the scientific journal Solar Rrl A predictive study on the behavior of colored photovoltaic modules, demonstrating how it is possible to integrate them into architecture without compromising their energy efficiency.

Photovoltaic and design

The need for rapid energy transition must not necessarily exclude the concept of aesthetics. Many researchers and researchers are working to find efficient and design solutions to be integrated into urban architecture. Stickers to make solar panels more attractive, photovoltaic curved tiles, “total black panels, are just some of the proposals in a rapidly expanding market.

In recent years, the use of materials has spread to change the color of conventional photovoltaic cells, improving its aesthetic versatility and making them suitable for integrated architectural applications. However, these materials influence the performance of the final product.

The study

The study demonstrates the ability to accurately predict the performance of the modules based on the optical properties of the colored layers, thus responding to a necessity of the photovoltaic industry integrated in buildings (Bipv, Building Integrated Photovoltaic). This approach allows to significantly reduce the time and resources necessary for the development of prototypes, allowing rapid optimization of both aesthetics and efficiency in the generation of energy.

This ability is particularly precious because it offers architects, designers and producers the opportunity to create visually captivating solar solutions without sacrificing performance.

The research has included experimental analysis to evaluate the behavior of the cells. The modules can have a two or three layer structure, with a monochristalline silicon solar cell as a lower layer and a colored higher layer. The model uses the spectral response of the cell and the spectral optical properties of colored layers such as input parameters. After rigorous tests, the model was validated with different materials, guaranteeing its reliability and applicability to a wide range of coloring technologies.

The ability to accurately provide the performance of a photovoltaic module (PV) based on the optical properties of colored layers represents a significant step forward in the development of aesthetically pleasing bipv solutions. This predictive capacity can significantly reduce the time and resources necessary for the development of prototypes, allowing rapid optimization of both aesthetic appeals and efficiency in the energy generation.

It reads in the conclusions of the research.