| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R50554/01 |
| Title: |
Optimisation of Photovoltaic Module Design for Curved and Flexible Structures |
| Principal Investigator: |
Pearsall, Professor NM |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Engineering & Technology |
| Organisation: |
Northumbria, University of |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 January 2002 |
Ends: |
31 December 2002 |
Value (£): |
46,655
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Energy |
Technical Consultancy |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The integration of photovoltaic systems into building structures is a rapidly growing market and is acknowledged to have high potential for the widespread use of photovoltaics for energy supply in urban areas. The current cost of the photovoltaic system makes it most economically favourable for high profile buildings, for which many recent examples incorporate curved elements to a significant extent. Such buildings tend to be leading-edge designs sponsored by more adventurous clients and it is such clients who are most likely to support the incorporation of photovoltaics at present. The use of curved PV modules leads to a reduction in performance over planar modules, due to non-uniform illumination. This project will develop optimised module designs for curvatures typical of those being used in current building design, considering variations in cell and module size, cell shape, orientation and arrangement and cell and module interconnection. Since predicted cost reductions are based on large volume production of PV modules, the use of an individual solution for each system could severely limit the cost reduction benefits that could be expected. Therefore, this projec will also Investigate a set of optimised solutions for module design to provide the lowest reductions in efficiency for a range of curved and flexible surfaces whilst still ensuring sufficient production volume to meet economic targets. Finally, recommendations for the development of curved modules will be made.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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