19 April 2017

Midsummer launches CIGS-based BIPV metal roof systems

Together with Swedish metal roofing firm Clix Steel Profile AB, Midsummer AB of Järfälla, near Stockholm, Sweden – a provider of turnkey production lines for manufacturing flexible, lightweight copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solar cells – has launched a complete solution for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) metal roof systems.

Midsummer has developed a rapid process for the production of flexible thin-film solar cells using sputtering of all layers of the solar cell, allowing scalable and cost-effective manufacturing of thin film solar cells.

Midsummer has teamed up with Clix Steel Profile, which has developed a metal roof system that is certified for slopes as low as 5°. The system has a unique fixing principle for its steel sheets and pricing that is reckoned to be competitive for both DIY and professional use.

“The roof plates are produced with integrated lightweight flexible panels using any type of coated steel,” says Midsummer’s CEO Sven Lindström. “The lightweight, flexible panel from Midsummer is integrated already at the factory, thereby reducing installation time and cost,” he adds.

Each panel is mounted on the roof plates using a high-performance elastomeric butyl adhesive tape designed to provide excellent tack and adhesion under outside condition in the field. The standing seam roof is then installed by linking the roof plates together in one step. Finally, the PV modules are connected to a system with standard connectors. All connectors and junction boxes are hidden under the ridge capping and well protected for snow and ice. It can easily be accessible if necessary. There are no visible connectors, cables or junction boxes when the roof installation is complete.

Midsummer says that it continues to develop its unique method for manufacturing flexible thin-film CIGS solar cells on individual stainless-steel substrates. Its versatile DUO deposition tool is now a proven commercial product and its R&D focus has been on increased cell efficiency, lightweight flexible modules, and integration of these modules into roofing elements.

Tags: CIGS Thin-film PV

Visit: www.midsummer.se