Design of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) and integration of photons converters

By the growth of global energy consumption and the increasing integration of renewable energies to the building, it becomes urgent to find innovative materials while increasing efficiency from energy conversions and lowering manufacturing costs. For this research, we began the study of replacement of glass used in solar panels by polymers having the function of converters of photons. Indeed, our led characterization tests have shown innovative polymers properties in the conversion of photons of UV to the visible range. This both, reduces the degradation of polymers exposed to UV and improves the power generation of PV cells. In fact, it is well known that conventional solar PV cells of terrestrial usage are more receptive to the range of visible than UV. By this method, we hope to reduce the cost of PV modules and increase conversion efficiency (up to 2-5%). Also, with these lighter materials the integration to roofs of buildings and agricultural greenhouses becomes very affordable. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of The TerraGreen Society.