Light as Feathers, Beautiful as Paint: Revolutionary Glass-Free Colored PV Modules Infuse Old Buildings with Green Energy

On the path toward building carbon neutrality, older structures and lightweight roofs are often excluded from photovoltaic retrofits due to insufficient load-bearing capacity. Researchers from Switzerland and Austria have collaboratively broken through this barrier, developing a groundbreaking glass-free lightweight colored PV module weighing under 6 kg/m², unlocking new possibilities for greening these buildings.

SUNPRO POWER 100KW C&I Rooftop PV,Germany

Core Technological Innovations:

1.Lightweight yet Robust "Sandwich" Backsheet:

Features a polypropylene honeycomb core sandwiched between glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) skins. This design ensures structural rigidity while achieving extreme weight reduction.

2.Polymer Frontsheet Replaces Glass:

Completely eliminates heavy glass coverings, significantly reducing weight while maintaining optical performance for power generation.

3.Colored Encapsulation Film:

Integrates colored foil into the encapsulation layer, providing diverse aesthetic options for architectural integration.

Pic from Internet

Exceptional Performance:

1.Stability in Extreme Environments:

Modules withstood harsh tests far exceeding IEC 61215:2021 standards:

2,000 hours of damp heat exposure

400 thermal cycles (-40°C to 85°C)

UV exposure equivalent to 60 KWh/m²

40 humidity-freeze cycles

Post-test power loss remained below 5%, surpassing conservative expectations.

2.Safety and Reliability Guaranteed:

Successfully resisted impact from 25-mm-diameter hailstones.

Passed ISO 11925 Class E fire safety test (honeycomb core sustained damage under flame but met requirements).

3.Balancing Aesthetics and Efficiency:

Standard non-colored module efficiency: 19.4%

Dark gray module efficiency: 14.28%

Beige module efficiency: 11.92%

While coloring reduces efficiency, it offers vital aesthetic flexibility for architects.

Pic from Internet

Broad Application Prospects:

This achievement—by a top-tier team from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), Austrian Research Institute for Chemistry and Technology (OFI), Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH (PCCL), and Montanuniversität Leoben—targets two key markets:

1.Retrofitting Older Building Roofs: Solves the critical pain point of weak load-bearing structures incompatible with traditional glass modules.

2.Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV): Provides lightweight, visually appealing power generation solutions for low-load façades and large warehouse roofs.

SUNPRO POWER 100KW C&I Rooftop PV,Germany

Future Outlook:

The research team has established a demonstration façade in Central Europe to continuously monitor real-world outdoor performance. Findings were published in the renowned journal Solar RRL, and the latest progress will be showcased at the 2025 European Photovoltaic Conference (EU PVSEC 2025).

Conclusion:

Integrating lightweight design, high mechanical strength, environmental resilience, and visual appeal, this glass-free colored PV module marks a new phase in building-integrated photovoltaics. It not only adorns older buildings with "power-generating canvases," unleashing their green potential, but also drives deeper integration of solar technology with architectural design, accelerating cities’ transition toward a sustainable future. When every wall and roof can become both a functional energy source and a work of art, the green revolution in architecture is truly within reach.