BIMODE

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BIMODE
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Development of Bifunctional Photovoltaic Modules
for Building Integration BIMODE
A cost shared collaborative RD Contract between
BP Solar, KHM, Bayer AG, Ove Arup, AIOU, IES and
TFM, funded in part by DG XII of the European
Commission under contract JOR3 CT97
0175 Enerbuild Number 22 Co-ordinator Dr T M
Bruton, BP Solar Presenter Dr MH Patterson, BP
Solar
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BIMODEA project to combine the best of both
worlds

• Artists and architects
• Skilled in enhancing the visual environment
• Through the use of form,
• Shape and colour

• Environmentally friendly
• Photovoltaic cells
• Available in a range of sizes,shapes and colours

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BIMODE Project Organisation
Project Co-ordination
BP Solar
Task 2
Task 3
Task 4
Task 1
Supply of Multicrystalline wafers
Modelling of Solar Cell Arrays
Aesthetic Design
Solar Cell Processing
KHM
Bayer
BP Solar
IES
Task 5
Prototype fabrication
TFM
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BIMODE

• Objective
• To develop a range of prototype modules with
  solar cells of varying shape, texture size and
  colour which have high visual and aesthetic
  appeal and function as electricity generator in
  building integration.
• Specifically four prototypes will be
  manufactured one of which will have an 8 module
  efficiency

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Cube Module
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Examples of triangular cell and module designs.
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Triangular Module
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Possible Renovation of St. Gertrude Church in
Cologne using the triangular prototype.
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Picture of Bruno Tauts glass pavilion with
triangular modules
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Striped Module
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Striped module design and application of the
striped module to the Mannesmann multi storey car
park.
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Prototype design of hexagonal module with
sinusoidal bus bar design.

• 200 hexagonal cells
• Sinusoidal busbars
• Cells gt10 efficiency

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Prototype Module Results
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Deliverables

• Report on different casting conditions to produce
  large and small grain multi-crystalline silicon
• Report on modelling of cell interconnection to
  allow minimum mismatch when cells of different
  size and colour are interconnected
• Design and demonstration of four prototypes with
  cells of different shape and colour
• A seminar ( Cologne 1999) illustrating the
  aesthetic possibilities to architects and
  designers.
• Design of application of BIMODE modules to actual
  buildings.

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Conclusions

• The project is complete and has demonstrated that
  PV modules can be viewed as works of art and
  still generate useful electrical power.
• The existence of BIMODE modules has stimulated
  interest in the use of PV integrated in buildings
  as a means of enhancing the building appearance
  and adding value through its aesthetic appeal.