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Technical Info

BIPV-TECNALIA comprises a set of capabilities, facilities and equipment (SW, characterization devices) which allows TECNALIA to offer services in the field of BIPV systems: optical/mechanical/thermal simulations, PV modules & devices characterization, indoor and outdoor testing of BIPV modules and BOS, etc.

TECNALIA’s facilities on BIPV systems allow to design, develop and test any sort of PV product / solution in the frame of “photovoltaic in buildings” systems, for the whole value chain of the BIPV technology, taking advantages of a great compilation of equipment, capabilities and experience. It includes services for both (1) BIPV modules and (2) BOS components, typically power conversion systems (inverters, module level power electronics-MPLE) and energy management systems (EMS, including storage-based solutions). Designs and solutions are then tested at lab level and/or in outdoor conditions, thanks to TECNALIA’s infrastructures in this field (e.g. KUBIK), and for BIPV modules, tests under the new BIPV standards can be offered. In total, 16 researchers work in this field in TECNALIA.

MAIN TECHNICAL FEATURES:

Simulation, design, evaluation

Ray tracing optical design software: ZEMAX EE plus in-house developed algorithms
Optical and thermal simulation of glazing elements: in-house developed algorithms
Optical simulation of multilayer coatings: TFCalc, CODE
Mechanical and thermal simulation finite elements software: NX
BIPV systems simulation software (PV + building energy performance) developed in collaboration with external partners
Building energy performance simulation, e.g. Design Builder
Development and evaluation tools for Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithms: solar simulator, simulators of photovoltaic field

PV modules manufacturing

Tabber & stringer
Vacuum laminators
Autoclaving
Curing ovens
Screen-printing
Coating deposition (PVD, sol-gel)

PV modules and devices characterization

Solar simulator and cell tester
Internal and external quantum efficiency
Electroluminescence
Thermography
UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer and integrating sphere
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, DSC
Optical microscopy: RAMAN, SEM, AFM

Laboratory testing on BIPV modules according to construction and BIPV standards

Reaction and resistance to fire
Luminous and solar characteristics
Resistance to atmospherical agents (air, water, wind)
Durability testing to BIPV modules as construction products
Load testing
Impact testing
Combined rain and wind load testing for BIPV modules

Modules and inverters testing according to PV standards

Climatic chambers: UV, temperature-humidity, Kesternich, salt spray fog
Laboratory for testing and certification of inverters (efficiency measurements and requirements for grid connection
Test bench for cells and storage systems (cycle efficiency, SoH)
Electromagnetic compatibility laboratory (notified body for EMC European Directive)

Outdoor testing

Outdoor testing platforms in the Basque Country (North Spain) and Andalucía (South Spain)

LIMITATIONS OR CONSTRAINTS:

Access will be allowed under specific contractual conditions to be negotiated between TECNALIA and the interested parties.

TYPICAL SERVICES OR RESULTS

Simulation, design, evaluation of BIPV solution in the whole value chain
BIPV modules and devices characterization
BIPV modules manufacturing, with different cell technologies, materials.
Laboratory testing on BIPV modules according to construction and BIPV standards
Outdoor testing
Modules and inverters testing according to PV standards

LIST OF SERVICES AGAINST PAYMENT

Design and prototyping of advanced PV concepts for BIPV modules, including novel materials and processes.
Optical, thermal, electrical and mechanical simulation of BIPV products / designs
Hardware/Firmware design of control and power conversion systems typically used in the building environment (microinverters, power optimizers, inverters)
Development of Energy Management Systems under different scenarios (self-consumption with batteries, load control and generation & demand prediction)
Laboratory testing of BIPV modules (photovoltaic, construction and new BIPV standards) and inverters
BIPV systems monitoring in outdoor platform
BIPV systems demonstration at building level

Participation to Research Projects:

PVSITES: Building-integrated technologies and systems for large scale market deployment, H2020 Innovation Action.
BFIRST: Building-integrated fibre-reinforced solar technology, FP7.
BIPV INSIGHT: Development of a standardized software tool for performance prediction of BIPV products, KIC InnoEnergy.
SPHERES: Building integrated PV glass based on spherical silicon solar cells (2015-2017). National project with international consortium
SLIGHT: PV module based in composite materials for their integration in the building sector. National project