Prefab design solar panels on the facade

Testing the future of energy generation.

Can prefab construction be combined with design energy generation? Solarix strongly believes in this efficient and sustainable combination and is exploring the possibilities of integrated prefab design solar panel facades at the research location of the Eindhoven University of Technology.

Since June 2021, the setup has been successfully deployed at SolarBEAT (Solar Building Elements Application Testing), an internationally recognized research facility for testing innovative solar energy systems. In this demonstration project, Solarix is testing the integration of design solar panels into prefabricated facades with various construction principles and solar panel applications.

Prefab facade elements are manufactured in the factory and then quickly assembled on-site to form a facade. This makes construction faster, more efficient, and more sustainable!

Applicability in existing building elements

The facade-solar-panel setup explores the integration of Solarix solar panels into two different existing building elements: an aluminum facade (in collaboration with TGM) and a wooden facade (in collaboration with Emergo).

• With the wooden facade element, Solarix solar panels can be quickly applied to the correct position at the construction site.

• For the aluminum facade element, the panels are fully integrated into the prefab element itself and can be delivered entirely to the construction site.

Solarix examines both solutions to ensure that the solar panels align well with the dimensions and detailing of the facade elements.

Aesthetically pleasing setup

Solarix doesn’t only consider the applicability in existing building elements but also the aesthetic appearance of the facade panels. A crucial part of our mission is that the sustainability of the built environment is visually appealing.

During the research, we are exploring various applications of the facade solar panels. Apart from regular colored glass panels, we have also investigated the use of a color film and the integration of thin film into composite materials (produced with Flexipol).

Measuring yields insights

Following a successful installation and an aesthetically pleasing setup, TNO is currently testing and monitoring several factors. Naturally, the yields are being measured along with light intensity and temperature. This allows us to validate the models we created earlier.

The setup will remain in place until November 2022 and continue to be monitored, providing us with over a year's worth of data. The initial results are already positive: the integration of our Solarix solar panels into a prefabricated aluminum curtain wall shows only a very limited temperature difference compared to a more heavily ventilated non-prefabricated application.

Interested in learning more about our developments? Stay updated on Solarix across various social media platforms via @solarixsolar.