Hungarian Firm Introduces Improved Photo voltaic Modules For Photo voltaic Pavement

At a latest business occasion in Germany, Hungarian firm Platio Photo voltaic revealed a really helpful new photo voltaic module that can be utilized for flooring or outside areas. Given some dangerous experiences photo voltaic floor installations have confronted, particularly photo voltaic roadways, it is smart that folks could be skeptical, however this new design will not be solely improved, however not aimed toward getting pounded by cars.

“They depend on a brand new body construction that gives higher safety for the glass floor,” Advertising and marketing Supervisor Helga Ruscsák informed pv journal. “They can be utilized for pavement, terraces, driveways, sidewalks, parks, bicycle roads, marinas, and low site visitors roads, in addition to for different industrial and off-grid purposes.”

Right here’s a video with an older model of the panels:

Whereas these panels within the video appear to be they’d be an effective way to offer extra solar energy in locations the place there’s not a whole lot of area to place them on rooftops, the corporate has been working to enhance them to make them extra sturdy and guarded. Which means folks will have the ability to extra confidently set up them in locations the place folks stroll, bike, and perhaps even do some restricted driving.

The revolutionary factor about these panels isn’t as a lot the photo voltaic cells as a lot as what they’re housed within, however that doesn’t imply you don’t have some nice choices for the elements inside. Variants include quite a lot of industrial photo voltaic cells inbuilt, together with each polycrystalline and monocrystalline. The dimensions is at all times the identical, although at 359 mm x 359 mm x 41 mm, weighing about 6.5 kilos.

Are you a PV nerd or skilled and wish the gritty particulars? Platio gave the press these, so we’ll go them alongside! Polycrystalline variants include 156 mm x 156 mm cells with 18.6% effectivity, and (beneath perfect circumstances) produce 18.2 W. Open-circuit voltage is 2.56 volts with a short-circuit present of 8.9 amps. Monocrystalline variants of the panel are 22.3% environment friendly, have an open-circuit voltage of two.72 volts, with a short-circuit present of 8.89 amps. The dimensions of the mono cells is 158.7 mm x 158.7 mm.

The housings are constructed from robust stuff, too. Thick, tempered glass covers the photo voltaic panels, measuring a complete centimeter thick. Ornamental patterns, presumably with some traction-improving texture to them, are etched into the glass itself so that you don’t have to fret about bike tires and the treads of sneakers peeling or grinding an anti-slip coating away.

PV Journal says the frames are fabricated from a “polymer composite based mostly on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with matrix-forming materials.” I’m no supplies specialist, however that seems like some sturdy stuff that received’t be bothered by being tread beneath foot. Maybe extra importantly, it’s fabricated from 100% recycled materials, which is nice for reducing the environmental impression of manufacturing these items!

You’re in all probability questioning how a lot weight one thing constructed from glass and plastic can deal with, and thankfully, that data is accessible. Every cell can deal with two tons of weight on a single wheel of a automobile, and the entire automobile can weigh as much as 8 tons. In the event that they’re so robust, some readers could surprise why we don’t take one other crack at making photo voltaic roads once more, however that’s not the plan.

“We don’t intend to construct photo voltaic highways or photo voltaic roads with our merchandise,” Ruscsák informed PV Journal.

And, they’re in all probability proper to not plan on that. Although they’re so robust, let’s take into account that semi-trucks can weigh as a lot as 40 tons, and produce much more extreme forces in terms of hitting bumps, happening hills, and many others. However, having loads of spare energy for sidewalks, bike paths, and perhaps one thing like a driveway or minor road is unquestionably an excellent factor.

Featured picture and different picture by Platio Photo voltaic.

 

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