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14 Dec 2015 Innovative and architectural photovoltaic facades put to the test Supplier: Glas Trösch Holding AG More Glas Trösch Holding AG details
Various patterns have been printed onto the external glass of the solar panel photo: Doris Kuert A team at Lucerne University which has developed a way of creating attractive solar panels is putting its products to the test.
Prof. Dr. Stephen Witt at Lucerne University's Competence Center for Envelopes and Solar Energy (CC EASE) leads the research on daylight and photovoltaics, the conversion of solar energy into direct current electricity.
As part of his project, innovative and multifunctional photovoltaic facades are being developed for a pilot a villa on Lake Lucerne, to demonstrate their architectural application.
"Our goal is that the potential of photovoltaics is better utilised," said Stephen Witt, head of Engineering and Architecture at the university.
The team has developed coloured and patterned solar panels which were produced by project partner Glas Trösch AG.
The patterns are printed on glass plates, which are mounted as the outermost layer on the facade panel.
"The project has been a balancing act between aesthetics and technology," says Monika Gold, head of Art and Design.
The test pilot at Lake Lucerne now aims to showcase how photovoltaics can be used in the facades of historic buildings and how architectural concepts can be developed with heritage in mind.
Panels will be installed and tested at the site and the results will be published for architects and researchers.
