Electricity from the house wall: solar cells directly in the facade

The contribution of electricity from the house wall: solar cells directly in the facade first appeared at the online magazine Basic Thinking. You can start the day well every morning via our newsletter update.

Solar cells facade solar energy PV system PV module Energy transition Renewable energies

In the future, solar cells could no longer only produce electricity on the roof, but also directly in the facade. The Fraunhofer FEP works on a corresponding solution for this, which has presented progress in building-integrated photovoltaics.

Photovoltaics play a crucial role in achieving the federal government’s climate goals. Because as early as 2030 At least 80 percent of gross electricity consumption in Germany be covered from renewable energies.

For this, the addition of PV systems from 2026 annually by 22 gigawatts climb. By 2030, the installed photovoltaic performance should grow by 215 gigawatts.

The aim is to make the extension about half on open spaces. The other half is to be covered via roof systems. However, an analysis by the European environmental office also shows that there is not enough space in Germany to implement the expansion goals in renewable energies by 2040. 4.4 percent of space would be required, but are therefore available Only 1.7 percent of the country area.

This is also why researchers are working on new opportunities to install solar cells – for example directly in the house facade. Also the Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP research on the building-integrated photovoltaic And has now presented an “aesthetically appealing solution”.

Solar cells generate electricity in the facade

The building-integrated photovoltaic enables previously unused areas to be used for the production of solar power. As part of the Design-PV project, the Fraunhofer FEP is researching a solution for this that is “inexpensive, durable and visually appealing”.

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For this, the role-to-roll nano-imprint lithograph is used, thanks to the solar modules, “can be seamlessly integrated in building facades”. The design is not affected, because the solar cells are “hardly visually distinguished by conventional facade elements”.

In addition, the modules, which are provided with decorative foils for facade elements, offer high energy efficiency. The aim is to achieve a uniform design on metal facade elements and photovoltaic modules.

Aesthetic aspects are taken into account

“Tests of our project partner ISFH show that the PV modules with decors can hardly be distinguished from conventional facade elements and-depending on the decor-achieve an output of up to 80 percent of the non-covered comparison modules,” explains project manager Dr. Steffen Günther.

So far, aesthetic aspects have often been an obstacle to acceptance in building-integrated photovoltaics. For this reason, this development is “significant progress”.

Further decors and colors are to be tested in the design PV project. The Fraunhofer FEP also wants to further research the long-term stability and weather strength of the developed PV modules.

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The contribution of electricity from the house wall: solar cells directly in the facade first appeared on Basic Thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard Or subscribe to our update newsletter.


As a Tech Industry expert, I believe that integrating solar cells directly into the facade of a house is a fantastic idea with immense potential. Not only does it make efficient use of space that would otherwise go unused, but it also has the added benefit of being aesthetically pleasing.

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By harnessing the power of the sun through solar cells on the facade, homeowners can significantly reduce their dependence on traditional sources of electricity, leading to lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint. This innovative approach to renewable energy generation aligns perfectly with the growing trend towards sustainability and green living.

However, there are some challenges that need to be addressed, such as the cost of installation and maintenance, as well as the efficiency of the solar cells themselves. As technology continues to advance, I am confident that these challenges will be overcome, making solar cells on the facade a mainstream and viable option for homeowners looking to embrace clean energy solutions.

In conclusion, I believe that integrating solar cells directly into the facade of a house is a promising and impactful way to harness the power of the sun and move towards a more sustainable future. It is a concept that has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about energy generation and consumption in residential settings.

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