Aesthetic revolution in solar panels

The Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology (FEP) in Germany has launched a significant innovation for integrating solar panels into architecture. The Fraunhofer Institute's decorative films allow photovoltaic (PV) modules to maintain their high efficiency while also providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance on building facades.

These films are produced using the roll-to-roll nanoimprint lithography (NIL) method. In this process, micro-scale patterns are transferred to a liquid coating, which is then pressed onto a moving film and simultaneously hardened with electron beams. This enhances the coating's durability and enhances it with various colors and aesthetic effects. Thanks to this continuous production technique, films can be produced at high speeds up to 1250 mm wide.

CLIMATE TARGETS

Increasing the use of renewable energy plays a critical role in Germany's vision of becoming carbon neutral by 2045. These panels, integrated into building facades, repurpose otherwise idle surfaces for energy production. Initial trials have shown that the new PV modules are virtually indistinguishable from traditional metal facade panels, achieving performance up to 80% of standard panels.

Fraunhofer FEP project manager Dr. Steffen Günther stated that the decoratively coated modules are both aesthetically similar to classical facade elements and provide high efficiency.

STRONG ADHESION AND DURABILITY

One of the most significant technical challenges faced during the project was ensuring strong, long-term adhesion of decorative films to glass and metal surfaces. The Fraunhofer team developed a special plasma treatment that roughens the ETFE layer at a nanoscopic level. This method significantly increased adhesion strength and enabled long-term use.

DIFFERENT COLORS AND PATTERNS

This approach, which combines aesthetics and functionality, is expected to accelerate the adoption of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems (BIPV) in urban design. The next phase of the project will include durability trials with various color and pattern alternatives. The results of the study will be shared at the Radtech Europe Conference in Warsaw, Poland, in October 2025.

The project, called Design-PV, is being implemented with support from the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy. It is being implemented in collaboration with Fraunhofer FEP, as well as partners such as SURTECO GmbH, FLAGCHGLAS Sachsen GmbH, Ronge GmbH, and TOMASIC Engineering GmbH.

Source: Headline News