TESSERA: Maximizing PV yield performance with size flexibility for BIPV

Application of PV in the built environment, both as BAPV and BIPV, requires improved aesthetics, decreased operating temperatures of the modules and diodes, improved output under partial shading and reduced production costs while allowing the size and shape of the PV elements to be more flexible. ECN presents TESSERA: a novel PV module lay-out which allows linear shade performance, while at the same time allowing size and manufacturing flexibility which also leads to improved aesthetics as entire roof and façade areas can be utilized. Temperature measurements on module diodes shows the diodes in these PV modules only reach a temperature of 40C compared to 140C for conventional ones. Mechanical load tests to rails glued to the rear of the PV modules shows the interconnections are stable, allowing vertical, frameless installation. Hence, these TESSERA elements allow broader application of PV in the built environment.