The more sunlight solar panels receive, the hotter they get. The hotter they get, the more inefficient they become at converting energy into electricity. A new modular solar panel currently under development at Brunel University London solves this issue by using heat pipes to gather this excess heat and use it to produce a building’s hot water.
PVadapt aims to perfect a flexible solar powered renewable energy system that generates both heat for hot water and electricity. “With our system, there is no waste heat,” said Technical Co-ordinator, Professor Hussam Jouhara, who invented the multifunctional Flat Heat Pipe. The panels cost about $340 each and can be used in social housing, public buildings and offices, and even in developing countries and off-grid.
See Also: Certified Green Buildings may have an advantage in capital markets
The panels can be installed quickly on-site thanks to the design that allows them to clip together as a weather-tight roof. The project team describes this process as being as simple as clipping together LEGOs or laminate flooring. For a more detailed look at how the product is clipped together on-site, take a look at the diagram below.
PVadapt will soon be used in multiple pilot projects across eight buildings, both residential and commercial, in Spain, Greece, Austria, and Portugal. Horizon 2020 is funding the project.
Related Stories
Sustainability | Oct 28, 2021
Reducing embodied carbon in construction, with sustainability leader Sarah King
Sustainability leader Sarah King explains how developers and contractors can use the new EC3 software tool to reduce embodied carbon in their buildings.
| Oct 14, 2021
The future of mass timber construction, with Swinerton's Timberlab
In this exclusive for HorizonTV, BD+C's John Caulfield sat down with three Timberlab leaders to discuss the launch of the firm and what factors will lead to greater mass timber demand.
Green | Oct 6, 2021
My reaction to the UN IPCC Climate Change 2021 report: Ugh!
The recent report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is not a happy read.
Data Centers | Sep 22, 2021
Wasted energy from data centers could power nearby buildings
A Canadian architecture firm comes up with a concept for a community that’s part of a direct-current microgrid.
Sponsored | Sustainability | Sep 20, 2021
A Beginner’s Handbook to LEED Building Design and Construction
Sponsored | Sustainability | Sep 17, 2021
The Benefits of Investing in ESG Sustainable Business Practices
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices are a hot topic in the corporate world. Here’s why you should prioritize them in your business.
Sustainable Design and Construction | Aug 20, 2021
Latest UN IPCC report on climate change should be cause for concern among AEC professionals and the real estate industry
The UN IPCC report on climate change is a must-read for architects, engineers, contractors and developers.
Sponsored | Sustainability | Aug 20, 2021
Measuring Sustainability: Determine Where You Stand and What to Do Next
Measuring sustainability operations is necessary to prove your sustainable facilities practices. To measure your success, there are two key factors you need.
Resiliency | Aug 19, 2021
White paper outlines cost-effective flood protection approaches for building owners
A new white paper from Walter P Moore offers an in-depth review of the flood protection process and proven approaches.
Sustainability | Aug 3, 2021
Construction Association launches new initiative to address climate change by pushing for construction of fewer carbon-intensive projects
While the new initiative includes steps construction firms can take to operate more efficiently, the bulk of the effort is focused on pushing for public and private project owners to build more efficient projects.