BLOG: PanoRen’s Technology Readiness Level 6 Validation

The PanoRen’s solution builds on an insulation solution already available in the market Panobloc® and integrates further developments, in particular the integration of the flow controlled mechanical ventilation and the PV façade integration. These developments have been tested at CEA-INES facilities through the installation and the characterisation of prototypes on the FACT building façade.

Figure 1: Fact building mock up

The tests carried out on FACT mock up over a year to evaluate its performance were conclusive and validated the feasibility of the installation.

  • The second life PV modules were repaired and different tests (electroluminescence, accelerated ageing tests) were applied to validate their performance.
  • The ventilation system was validated through the testing of two different configurations.
  • Conclusive analysis of moisture transfer in Panoren (10 months of measurements).
  • Analysis of the thermal behaviour of the PV on the façade (ventilation of the air space, heating of the panel).
  • Feedback on the mechanical behaviour of different types of wood.
  • Figure 2 gives an illustration of some tests.

Figure 2 : Electroluminescence test of the second life PV module (left), ventilation test (middle) and humidity results (right)

As an example of the thermal behaviour analysis of the PV on the façade, a test was conducted to measure the air gap temperature behind the PV module. Figure 3 presents the PV integration. On the left (PV2) the air gap was ventilated with a 18 mm air gap. On the right (PV1) the module air gap is not ventilated. 

Figure 3: PV1 and PV2 integration on PanoRen

As a result, we measured a mean air gap temperature difference of more than 10°C during the peak (first graph of Figure 4) between PV1 and PV2 and a 4°C module temperature difference between PV1 and PV2 (second graph of Figure 4).

Figure 4: Air gap and module temperature difference; theorical power difference between PV1 and PV2

These temperature differences have an impact on the PV production. On the 22nd of June, the maximum power of PV2 is 234 W whereas it is 230 W for PV1. The power production is reduced of nearly 4 W with the non-ventilated air-gap compare to the ventilated air-gap due to the higher temperature. These results emphasize the importance of a ventilated air-gap for the photovoltaic module.

All these tests validated the TRL6 level of the PanoRen solution. This validation occurred before its demonstration (TRL7) that will take place during the retrofit of a social housing owned by LE TOIT VOSGIEN in the town of Saint-Dié-des-Vosges (North East of France).

Author’s name: Christian Orgiazzi, CEA-INES

Website: https://www.cea.fr, https://www.ines-solaire.org/