Fraunhofer ISE, Germany

It is only recently that 70 TPedge photovoltaic modules have adorned the external façade of Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) laboratory in Freiburg, Germany. These modules are a joint development between Bystronic glass and the Fraunhofer ISE. Ten of these modules were already integrated into the façade in 2013 and still they continue to work reliably. A further 60 modules will now follow.

The TPedge modules are the result of a long lasting project that has been running for several years with the objective of finding a less expensive, faster and more simple PV module production.

Instead of taking the necessary 12 minutes to produce a PV module when adopting the standard process, a TPedge module can be produced within cycle times of less than one minute. “A modified TPS^® insulating glass line along with a robot can accurately position the adhesive points with exceptional precision in terms of millimeters. This enables all insulating glass manufacturers to now be able to produce TPedge modules, and therefore expand their market“, explained Tobias Neff, Solar Product Manager at Bystronic glass.

“TPS insulating glass has been tried and tested on a global scale, which gives tremendous advantages, as it has proven itself resistant in a variety of temperatures and diverse weather conditions.”