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    The Solar Window Block

    The Solar Window Block is an autonomous modular and flexible solution aimed at improving building energy efficiency and increasing indoor comfort, while also generating energy from a renewable source. The window block is a physical framework surrounding the window frame made of insulating materials, composite wood, metal supports and sealing bands. Its design can easily be varied depending on the window hole and the design needs, determining a very flexible solution. In addition, it can guarantee fast and correct installation, minimalization of thermal bridges, and is completely compatible with the rest of principle elements that form the window block: mechanical ventilation system, integrated shading system and integrated BIPV.

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Solar Window Block Components

The EnergyMatching Solar Window Block is made up of several components when combined create an holistic and easily integratable solution. On the right, you can find a scheme pointing out its various components of the Solar Window Block and below the corresponding component descriptions. 

1: Insulating frame made of XPS and timber reinforcing elements by Eurofinestra
2: Ventilation Machine with heat recovery (Thesan Aircase ES) 
3: Battery 
4: PV and battery charge controller: Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT)
5: Integrated, motorised and controlled shading blinds by Pellini 
6: Timber and cork window (“Versatile”) by Eurofinestra
7: PV glass-glass module by Onyx
8: PV module mounting structure (“Click&Go”) by Tulipps 
 

 

Solar Window Block Concept

This prefabricated, autonomous and multifunctional window presents the following main features:

  • Improvement of the building energy efficiency
  • Improvement of internal comfort
  • Easy and fast installation with lower disturbance to occupants​
  • Autonomous system with renewable energy source harvesting

Three prototypes of the Solar Window Block with BIPV modules were developed for this project

The Sill, Overhang & Vertical types

 

Vertical BIPV

The vertical BIPV was implemented at the Italian demonstration site

BIPV Sill

BIPV Overhang    

EnergyMatching Solar Window Block contributing partners

Eurac Research

Eurac Research (The Institute for Renewable Energy) is a private research centre based in Bozen-Bolzano. EURAC conducts applied research on advanced energy systems, based on or including sustainable energy sources. Its activities include national and international research projects, promotion of renewable energy technologies and scientific consultancy to political decision-makers.​ The Institute's research involves the extensive use of dynamic simulations and multiphysics modelling of advanced energy systems and buildings.​​ Scientific results are based on laboratory tests of single components and integrated energy systems, as well as the monitoring of applied demonstration sites, experimental outdoor installations and residential buildings.

EURAC coordinates the EnergyMatching project. Among the tasks EURAC will develop the knowledge hub as the framework for development of optimal RES harvesting business case up to district scale, working specifically on software optimisation tool and modelling approach. In addition, the EURAC team will contribute to the definition of solar window building block concept, its performance assessment and economic rationale. EURAC will also contribute to the technology development, performance assessment and economic rationale of solar assisted ventilation system, and on the identification of the best district scale management strategy for maximising RES harvesting and use.

Contact: David Moser david.moser@eurac.edu Laura Maturi laura.maturi@eurac.edu

Web site

EUROFINESTRA

EUROFINESTRA designs, produces, setups and installs directly its high energy efficiency wood&cork windows systems.

The company was established in 1996, its composed by 26 employees and it is internally structured in six parts; windows and doors production, special parts production, logistical area, management office, commercial office and technical office. It has a turnover of about 2 million euros. EUROFINESTRA’s products are known and appreciated for their design, high efficiency and artisan’s quality. The goal of every day work is to find better solutions, while respecting the environment and endorsing the natural materials. The research and innovation are leaded by the aim to reduce the carbon footprint and improve living comfort.

In EnergyMatching EUROFINESTRA will develop the solar window block, acting a system integrator, and will install EUROFINESTRA technologies in the demos sites.

Contact: Giovani Toniato giovanni@eurofinestra.it

Web site

ONYX

ONYX is a technology driven company founded in Ávila (Spain) that develops cutting-edge smart building solutions for Building Integrated Photovoltaic’s (BIPV) to be used as building materials in façades, windows, roofs and skylights. These solutions consist in the replacement of conventional materials such as glass or ceramics for a material with photovoltaic properties, showing not only undeniable aesthetic value but also customized for each project, producing clean and free energy from the sun. ONYX Multifunctional BIPV Solutions allow the entry of natural light, provide thermal and sound insulation, they filter out harmful radiation, produce clean and free energy thanks to solar power and feature an innovative, customized design which can be integrated into any type of building without limitations of color, pattern, transparency degree, thickness and size. All these solutions allow to the architect and the client to have a variety of designs for their projects depending on the needs required.

Main activities to be carry out by ONYX in EnergyMatching will be the development of the BIPV laminated glass to be integrated into the solar window block and the BIPV coloured, thin and light-weight glass-glass modules to be integrated into the TULIPPS click&go substructure.

Contact: Elena Rico erico@onyxsolar.com

Web site

PELLINI SPA

PELLINI SPA was founded in 1974 in Codogno, Northern Italy, as a craftsman, family-owned company producing venetian blinds, folding doors, mosquito nets and awnings. The division ScreenLine, specialized on the development and production of shading integrated inside a sealed insulated glass unit was born in 1992 with the introduction of the first system in the ScreenLine® range – a system based on rotational transmission of motion obtained by the coupling of internal and external magnets. Today the company operates on a worldwide scale with 8 production facilities around the world and is an acknowledged leader in the field of integrated sun shading systems.

In the EnergyMatching project, PELLINI will develop a stand-alone, self-powered motorized integrated solar shading capable of optimizing the solar gains and daylighting of the façade according to the building/user needs.

Contact: Luca Papaiz lpapaiz@pellini.net

Web site

TULIPPS

TULIPPS B.V. is a production & development company actively pursuing intellectual property and know-how in the area of Photovoltaic (PV)-module technology and innovative bill of material solutions. TULIPPS mission is to deliver the most beautiful cost-effective, and versatile, PV function-integrated building envelope and to make the new BIPV module technology available to system suppliers in the building industry and in time, once the factory is up and running, sell technology licenses to module producers.

In EnergyMatching, TULIPPS will further develop their patented Click-&-Go” COSMOS® building skin substructure and mounting technology for pre-fab pitched roofs and façade building skins with both active PV panels as well as non-active other plate materials fitting in the same mounting system. TULIPPS will also further develop, experiment, and demonstrate size and shape flexibility in order to deal with the diversity of buildings, locations, and situations.

Contact: Eugene Widlak eugene.widlak@tulipps.com

Web site