Right now, many people think solar panels are only ugly, grey rectangles. But thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technology can be so much more: flexible, transparent, and in any colour and size you might want. In the PV OpMaat project, we’re working to get this technology to the market. It’s not easy: people want well-known, efficient and proven technology, and are hesitant to try something new. I’m connecting the world of construction and the world of PV to build demonstrators so
people can see the technology in real life. The Interreg V ‘PV OpMaat’ project aims to develop three demonstrators that show promising applications of Thin Film
Photovoltaics in building elements. My PDEng project supported the ‘product and process development’ in the PV OpMaat project while securing the inclusion of both
technology push and market pull factors in the development of the Thin Film technology. In order to reach this goal the six-step Method of Design Thinking and theories regarding Technology Transition were selected to be implemented in the PV OpMaat project and evaluated on their effectiveness. Based on insights that followed from understanding TF technology and observing the market, a design challenge was defined. This resulted in the ideation of three demonstrator concepts:
1. Super flexible, custom-sized Thin Film foil from the roll on lightweight substrate for building applications
2. Thin Film Solar glazing in different transparencies for façade application
3. Custom sized and coloured Thin Film panels for solar façade application. The third concept was elaborated on in
the prototype phase and tested with the help of writing a business plan.