Download - Evonik Industries

24 DesIGnInG WItH PoLYMeRs
Built by the Venturi
company in 2007, the
car with integrated
solar roof made of
SUNOVATION®
modules can be
marveled at in Monaco.
The monocrystalline
solar cells supply
maximum power of
150 Wp
elements35 Issue 2|2011
333 The gel not only holds the solar cells in place but
plays a central role in the forces that occur during
forming. It consists of several components, and can
be adapted to the shearing forces that occur during
forming through formula modification—depending on
how strong the sheets should be and whether the carrier
is designed to be solid or hollow. The forces are
evenly distributed over the gel, which transfers the
mechanical load to the cells. Both crystalline and
amorphous silicon is used for the solar cells, but thinfilm
and dye cells are also possible.
The first PLEXIGLAS® roofs with integrated solar
cells by Sunovation were installed more than thirteen
years ago. But back then, photovoltaics was still not
a generally accepted form of renewable power generation.
The only people interested in using PV modules
were committed environmentalists and a few trailblazers.
Since then, the times have changed dramatically.
An increasing number of architects and developers
have now gone in for “green building”—the idea of
building private and public buildings as sustainably
and ecologically as possible. A vital component of
green building is recyclable modern construction materials
and environmentally and climate-friendly
energy supply. This also applies to energy-efficient
renovation and modernization of existing buildings,
which plays an important role in the energy concept
of the German federal government.
In green building, lightweight modules not only
generate energy, but play additional roles: they pro-
The latest version of PLEXIGLAS® Solar (0Z023) is even better
adapted to the absorption spectrum of solar cells. It blocks
sunlight below 350 nanometers, which damages the solar cells
and cannot be converted into electricity anyway. At a wavelength
of 350 to 400 nanometers, however, it allows more high-energy
photons to pass through than other transparent plastics, thereby
increasing the electricity yield of the solar module
Transmission [%]
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
vide roofing, thermal insulation and sound insulation,
and create shade. To put it another way, why produce
expensive roofs or façades that you have to equip with
modules and thermal protection systems when all of
your key requirements can be met with multi-functional
solar modules?
High potential in
the automotive industry
A revolution similar to that in the construction industry
can be observed right now in the automotive
industry. The vehicles of the future are no longer
being developed and marketed based solely on technical
and aesthetic criteria. To reduce traffic emissions
and allow the industry to meet its climate obligations,
the fleet of the future will have to consist of
ultra-light and eco-friendly (electric) vehicles. A
higher plastic content and regenerative energy supply
will be key features.
Because the components have to meet the high
standards of safety, durability, and quality exacted by
mobile applications, the use of photovoltaics in vehicles
poses a special challenge. Several renowned
automakers are currently experimenting with solaractive
roofs. Integrative plastic-based PV solutions
have already been realized multiple times in concept
cars.
But electromobility covers far more than just the
vehicle alone. Eco-friendly driving also goes handin-hand
with today’s charging stations. Together with
PLEXIGLAS® Solar 0Z023/PLEXIGLAS® Solar IM20—3mm
UV blocking standard PMMA grade—3mm
III-V cell spectral response
0
250 300 350 400 450 500
Wavelength [nm]