Researchers from the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), University of Rome Tor Vergata and Université Crenoble Alpes have designed a Solar Brick (SB) based on textile ceramic technology (TCT) and perovskite photovoltaic cells. The new SB can be used for applications in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
Textile Ceramic Technology (TCT) is an innovative construction system that consists of ceramic units installed in a grid of stainless steel wires. TCT has been patented in 2011. Its main application is to cover roofs, grounds, building façades and more. The team says: "One of the advantages of the system is the reduced time construction, since traditional ceramic claddings systems require a manual procedure on site in where the bricks are placed one by one joined by mortar. Moreover, the large length dimension of the shells makes possible to cover ground, façade and roof with the same element".
The researchers describe the 300 mm x 117 mm solar brick as a system integrating a 99 mm × 99 mm perovskite solar module (PSM) compatible with TCT mesh. It used welding to make the electrical connections for the module, which was embedded in a groove with an inclined geometry.
The team shared that the solar brick reached a technology readiness level (TRL) of 5 and that the perovskite module was individually tested in real environments, and the solar brick has undergone impact, vibration, and thermal shock tests. The tests reportedly showed that the PSM is barely affected by a hard body impact, although the groove made to the ceramic piece to set the PSM reduces the strength of the bricks. the scientists noted that in the case of hail impact, a reduction in efficiency was observed, although the cell continued to operate. In vibration testing, some fragility of the electrical welding was observed and one of the failures was produced at 10 Hz testing.
Through voltage measurements, the scientists also found that the PSM was not affected by the vibrations and the designed dry joint between the ceramic piece and the PSM worked adequately.
Overall, the solar brick was found to perform well “in general terms” with market viability possibilities, with the main challenge being identified in the brittle rupture of the ceramic pieces. The academics concluded that more testing should be performed.
