Thin film PV bubble modules for architectural integration

This paper reports on the possibility to develop a new type of PV module that consists of “bubble” (round shaped) thin film silicon solar cells for application in building integrated PV (BIPV). With this PV module we would like to improve the applicability of PV modules in building skins of contemporary architectural design. The idea is to provide architects the option to use customizable PV modules based on round solar cells as an alternative to rectangular PV modules with standardized sizes. Our new concept is called the “PV bubble module”. To obtain a lab-scale model of this PV component interdisciplinary expertise on BIPV, PV product design, thin film silicon solar cells and architecture needs to be merged. By means of appropriate interconnects architects should be able to customize the design the module that best fit to their buildings.