PROGETTI DI RICERCA INDUSTRIALE E SVILUPPO SPERIMENTALE NEI SETTORI STRATEGICI DI REGIONE LOMBARDIA E DEL MINISTERO DELL’ISTRUZIONE, DELL’UNIVERSITA’ E DELLA RICERCA DI CUI AL DECRETO N. 7128 DEL 29 LUGLIO 2011
Full project name: TIFAIN - Tessere Integrate di vetro Fotovoltaico per applicazioni Architettoniche INnovative
Research topic: Building-Integrated Photovoltaics glass facade with semi-transparent and colored PV
Period: 2012 - 2014
Funding Body: MIUR and Regione Lombardia
Project Number: Progetto No. 30221157
People: Alessandra Zanelli, Carol Monticelli, Andrea Campioli, Nebojsa Jakica
The main aim of the project TIFAIN was to explore and develop BIPV façade, made of complex profiled glass and Dye-Senzitized Solar Cells (DSSC), with the emphasize on innovative architectural applications. Complex, saw-tooth profile of the glass was designed to control light behavior and particularly allow light trapping inside glass module in order to increase absorption and energy generation of PV cells. Moreover, this specific profile is capable also to control light deflection for improving daylighting and indoor comfort. The focus of Politecnico di Milano and Textile Architecture Network (TAN) as one of the partners was set on different scenarios for architectural application and managing parametric digital design process from optimizing profile section up to designing façade systems. Moreover, TAN carried out optical simulation and characterization of modules and worked on Life cycle assessment.
Many different solutions were considered, including two types of TIFAIN tiles and two application types: movable active shading systems and static Insulated Glazing Units (IGU). TIFAIN 1 is a 10x10cm module with double-sided saw-tooth geometry, while TIFAIN 2 has one side groove surface with the dimensions of 25x35cm. Both types are stacked to back sheet glass to form a same size module with different properties. Moreover, variation of the DSSC color and transparency provides additional design effect that architects can use to customize their designs. All these design options were considered during integrated performance based design process. Such approach allows uncompromised design while improving overall performance of the solutions. This type of high-performance façade offers many benefits and possibilities comparing to the simple IGU and presents one of the preferable façade options for the future Zero Energy Buildings.
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) product with implemented new generation photovoltaic technology - Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells (DSSC). This type of PV cells allows certain level of transparency and color variation. These two properties can be very interesting aesthetic criteria for architectural applications.
LUXION® is a brand new material, created at the RCR laboratories with a special mix of the purest raw material to ensure the highest quality with the least environmental impact. Because LUXION® glass have a high hydrolytic resistance, similar to lead crystal, it remain clear over time, it is resistant to humidity and does not mist over, that ensure great protection for PV cell. Furthermore, thanks to its superior transparency, complete colourlessness and light transmission, highest of the industry, LUXION® represents the ideal material for the facade implementation - meaning more light left for daylighting or energy production of integrated PV system.
mounted on Schüco Active Solar Shading System with a drive in mullion
integrated in structural glazing system Schüco FW 50 + 60 SG
The research has been carried out in the areas of optical simulations, daylighting, PV energy yield simulations and LCA. For this purpose, both types of tiles are first subjected to simulation and then fabricated and assembled as a full-scale mock-up to proceed with the validation of simulations and estimation of the façade’s visual quality. This part of the research aims to estimate capabilities and accuracy of current state of the art software such as RADIANCE ray tracing engine to calculate daylighting and irradiance on PV surface. Results showed reasonably good agreement between simulation and experimental measurements, which prove that method is capable for the general purposes of complex BIPV systems.
address:
13 Corso Italia, Milan (MI), Italy
role in the project:
Definizione Specifiche supporto in vetro (WP1)
Progettazione Supporto in Vetro 3D (WP2)
Progettazione Processo serigrafico (WP2)
Progettazione Stampi e processo stampaggio (WP2)
Sperimentazione Supporto in Vetro 3D (WP3)
Stampi e processo stampaggio (WP3)
Realizzazione Supporto in Vetro 3D (WP4)
Realizzazione Stampi e processo stampaggio (WP4)
Validazione e disseminazione risultati (WP7)
address:
30 Leonardo da Vinci street, Roncello (MB), Italy
role in the project:
Definizione Specifiche processo spray (WP1)
Progettazione Processo spray (WP2)
Sperimentazione Fotoanodo via spray (WP3)
Realizzazione Fotoanodo via spray (WP4)
Validazione e disseminazione risultati (WP7)
address:
79 Domea street, Cantù (CO), Italy
role in the project:
Definizione Specifiche tecniche pannelli FV (WP1)
Progettazione Struttura pannello FV (WP2)
Progettazione Simulazioni strutturali pannello FV (WP2)
Sperimentazioni strutturali (WP3)
Sperimentazioni connessioni elettriche (WP3)
Realizzazione Sistema collegamento celle (WP4)
Realizzazione Sistema cablaggio moduli (WP4)
Test Struttura Pannello FV (WP6)
Assemblaggio e test Pannello FV (WP6)
Validazione e disseminazione risultati (WP7)
address:
70/3 Pascoli street, Milan (MI), Italy
role in the project:
Definizione Specifiche strato conduttore trasparente (WP1)
Definizione Specifiche dispositivo (WP1)
Progettazione Strato conduttore trasparente (WP2)
Progettazione Dispositivo (WP2)
Sperimentazioni Strato conduttore trasparente (WP3)
Sperimentazioni Fotoanodo via PLD (WP3)
Sperimentazioni Dispositivo (WP3)
Realizzazione Strato conduttore trasparente (WP4)
Realizzazione Fotoanodo via PLD (WP4)
Assemblaggio e sperimentazione Dispositivo ridotto (WP5)
Upscale singola cella DSSC (WP6)
Validazione e disseminazione risultati (WP7)
address:
3 Edoardo Bonardi street, Milan (MI), Italy
role in the project:
Definizione Specifiche integrazione architettonica (WP1)
Design integrazione architettonica (WP2)
Valutazione LCA (WP2)
Sperimentazione strutturali (WP3)
Prove durabilità (WP3)
Assemblaggio e test Pannello FV (WP6)
Validazione e disseminazione risultati (WP7)
address:
53 R. Cozzi street (Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali) e 3 Piazza Della Scienza (Dipartimento di Fisica “G. Occhialini”), Milan (MI), Italy
role in the project:
Definizione Specifiche fotoanodo (WP1)
Specifiche fotosensibilizzatore ed elettrolita (WP1)
Specifiche processo plasma freddo (WP1)
Progettazione Processo serigrafico (WP2)
Progettazione Fotosensibilizzatori (WP2)
Progettazione Elettroliti (WP2)
Progettazione Processo plasma (WP2)
Sperimentazioni Fotoanodo via serigrafia (WP3)
Sperimentazioni Fotoanodo via plasma (WP3)
Sperimentazioni Fotosensibilizzatori (WP3)
Sperimentazioni Elettroliti (WP3)
Realizzazione Fotoanodo via serigrafia (WP4)
Realizzazione Fotoanodo via plasma (WP4)
Realizzazione Fotosensibilizzatori (WP4)
Realizzazione Elettroliti (WP4)
Assemblaggio e sperimentazione Dispositivo ridotto (WP5)
Upscale singola cella DSSC (WP6)
Validazione e disseminazione risultati (WP7)