Development and Productization of High-Efficiency, Low-Cost Building-Integrated PV Shingles Using Monocrystalline Silicon Thin-Film Solar Cells

Solexel and Owens Corning Science and Technology, LLC (Solexel-OC), under the BOS-X funding opportunity, are developing a building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solar shingle product that demonstrates a business case for achieving a $2-per-watt (or less) total-installed-cost residential BIPV system at large scale by 2017.

Approach

The Solexel-OC team is developing a BIPV roofing shingle product that includes low-profile solar modules and a unique attachment system that will be fastened directly to the roof and incorporates balance of system (BOS) components to conduct electric power from the modules to the building electrical system. The innovative solar modules, which will connect uniquely to the attachment system, consist of Solexel PV smart cells integrated into a laminate.

Innovation

This project incorporates:

High-efficiency (>21%), flexible monocrystalline silicon
Very low-cost distributed power electronics circuitry at the cell level
Integrated microinverters.

Learn about other DOE competitive awards for systems integration research that are in progress.