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Description	Thin-film photovoltaic cells are second generation solar modules where thin films of photovoltaic material is deposited on a substrate, this films are 50 to a 100 times thinner than human hair and as efficient as the bulkier thick-film solar cells. Thin-film photovoltaic cells can produce up to 60 kWh of electric energy per square meter per year. In addition, as part of the facade, this state-of-the-art technology can be integrated seamlessly into a new building. Amorphous silicon, the material usually used for producing thin-film photovoltaic cells, is applied as a thin coating onto a glass panel through plasma processing. Weighing 20 to 30 mg/m², these thin-film modules are significantly lighter than the usual wafer-based modules, which can weigh up to 1kg/m². Moreover, thin-film photovol-taic cells have a greater energy efficiency compared to crystalline modules. Accordingly, they continue to produce electricity in indirect sunlight and are only marginally temperature-sensitive. Even at an inclination angle of under ten degrees, they maintain their full potential. (Arnold Zentralverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH: www.glaswerke-arnold.de)
Advantages	Significant material and energy savings during production due to direct application of the material onto the backing layer, which is made of glass, metal or plastic. Technical advantage as the cells use diffuse or poor sunlight more efficiently Less susceptible to cloudy weather Higher shape flexibility Translucent and shadow-giving Flexible usage as a ventilated curtain-wall façade or an insulating glass façade / overhead glazing Usage without restrictions
Disadvantages	High investment cost Lower degree of efficiency, thus greater module surface than crystalline module
Characteristic features	The efficiency of the technology is dependend on the sun
Application barriers	Insufficient maturity level (profitability)
Information sources	http://solopower.com/ http://www.kaneka-solar.com/thin-film/
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Trade:	Building services

Parameter	Minimal Value	Maximal Value	Unit
Quantity of Modules			PCs
Cell Efficiency	10	13.4	%
Panel Efficiency	7.9	8.1	%
Annual Degradation Rate in Panel Efficiency (Estimated Lineal Degradation)			%
Annual Energy Yield			kWh/m2
Dimensions	1200/600/6.8	1684/1056/8.4	L/W/H in mm
Weight	12	37	kg
Surface Area	0.72	1.43	m2
Maximum Load	2400		Pa
Nominal Power Pmax	63.8	185	Wp
Open Circuit Voltage Voc	54.9	170.0	V
Short Circuit Current Isc	1.020	4.38	A
Maximum Power Point Voltage Vmpp	42.6	134.7	V
Maximum Power Point Current Impp	0.880	3.98	A
Normal Operating Cell Temperature NOCT	40	49	°C
Power Temp. Coeff (W/°C)	-0.49	-0.25	%
Current Temp. Coeff (Isc/°C)	-0.02	0.10	%
Voltage Temp. Coeff (Voc/°C)	-0.40	-0.20	%
Maximum System Voltage	600	1000	V
Maximum Current for Safety Design Purpose Maximum Current			A
Operating Efficiency	10		%
Annual Degradation Rate in Efficiency			%
Annual Produced Energy			kWh
Investment Cost	0.46	0.88	€/W
Operating Cost	1		% of plant price/year
Replacement Cost	1,157		€
Life Expectancy	15		years

Deterioration	Description
Causes
Parameter
Degradation Rate
Measurement

The Design4Energy project aims to address evolutionary life-cycle evolutionary design methodology able to create energy-efficient buildings flexibly connected with the neighbourhood energy system.

BL(Ti)=0.788

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