Avancis and Sunpartner Technologies Sign Partnership Agreement for the BIPV Market

These thin-film cells will be used in Sunpartner’s semi-transparent WYSIPS® Design-Glass for the construction and use in smart city markets.  

In total, there will be showcased six PV modules with different designs as first samples of WYSIPS® Design Glass technology.

Ludovic Deblois, President of Sunpartner, says: ‘For Sunpartner, it is essential to be able to count on strong partners who are globally recognized.

Avancis develops and produces leading-edge thin-film CIGS PV modules that have some of the best performances on the market. In fact, they have been certified by TÜV, Fraunhofer ISE and other recognized certification bodies.

We share the same vision of smart city concept of tomorrow that incorporates connectivity and community, in which renewable energies drive changes.

Avancis has been smart in adapting developments in the solar market by positioning themselves very early in BIPV, which is growing strongly in Europe and around the world.

We have already planned several new R&D ideas to explore at their R&D centers in Germany.’

‘Sunpartner Technologies has an extensive experience in energy generating glass. After more than two years of intensive collaboration, we are pleased to cooperate with an innovative partner with whom we complete decisively our product portfolio for solar facades on a new technological base’, adds Dr. Franz Karg, CEO of AVANCIS.

‘Thus, in addition to our existing colored architects’ panels, we will be able to provide basic products for semi-transparent surfaces such as insulating facades, double facades and skylights, too.’

Sunpartner Technologies: Producer of Active, Smart Solar Glazing for Buildings

The company provides architects with a range of semi-transparent photovoltaic glazings with customizable designs (gradients, shapes or colors available on request) and varying transparency (10-70%) whose power/yield can reach up to 110 Wp/m².

Solar WYSIPS® Design Glass aesthetically integrates into the structural design of the building, making facades, canopies, skylights, balcony balustrades, and sunshades into distinctive architectural elements.

It also contributes to the architectural signature of the ensemble and the general trend towards positive energy buildings (BEPOS, BREEAM, HQE, LEEDS certifications, among others).

Near Aix-en-Provence, France, Sunpartner Technologies plans to manufacture the WYSIPS® Design Glass modules; the pre-series will be available by end of 2016.

This manufacturing facility serves the construction industry and will increase its capacity from 30k m2/year in 2017 up to 200k m2/year by 2022 to meet the needs of the European market. Expanding to other global markets will be done through manufacturing joint ventures.

The company has also developed WYSIPS® Vision Glass: transparent solar technology that integrates into the glazing to turn the windows into solar panels, while preserving aesthetics.

WYSIPS® Vision Glass can power hi-tech features such as darkening the windows, lighting, automated opening, or alarms. Compatible with laminated and tempered glass, WYSIPS® Vision Glass generates between 18-50 Wp/m² with a transparency of 20 to 70%.

With its WYSIPS® Design Glass and Vision Glass, Sunpartner positions itself as a key player in the BIPV market, with strong growth projected in the coming years.

In new construction, energy regulations are pushing towards energy positive buildings. There are also significant opportunities for integrated solar glazing in energy renovation. By 2020, the market for integrated solar glazing is projected to reach $ 3.5 billion*.

*Source: n-tech research