Mosaic Module Concept for Cost-Efficient and Aesthetic BIPV Modules

We present a module concept based on metal-wrap-through solar cells and conductive copper backsheets that offers a high degree of aesthetic freedom and allows individual designs. Our metal-wrap-through cell design features sub-cells that allow splitting and individual cell sizes enabling a flexible module design. We show results from sample manufacturing and façade mock-up implementation. The manufacturing is performed using automated equipment and low-temperature solder pastes. The process step of ""tabbing/stringing"" can be omitted compared to conventional PV module manufacturing. We perform IV measurements and a cell-to-module loss analysis. Results show that, considering the aperture area of the cells, competitive cell-to-module power ratios (~95%) are achieved. We estimate the mosaic module costs to be between 57 and 68 e/m² (depending on specific design) compared to 45 e/m² for common industrial, utility scale solar modules.