Thin-film agrivoltaic solar tubes

• German technology business Tube Solar AG has protected EUR10.8 million to develop its round agrivoltaic modules. The light-weight devices can likewise be made use of on roof coverings previously thought about unsuitable for PV.

Bavaria's minister of financial affairs, Hubert Aiwanger, has granted EUR10.8 million to German photovoltaic or pv company Tube Solar AG.

The company makes what it calls robust, lightweight thin-film solar tubes, mostly for agrivoltaic usage. "Thanks to the cutting-edge tube modules from Tube Solar AG, farming as well as energy generation will certainly not be mutually unique, however corresponding," stated Aiwanger, revealing the financing yesterday.

The German supplier claims its tube modules are a simple encapsulation of flexible photovoltaic or pv strips in a glass tube. The tools have actually been produced given that in 2015 at a previous fluorescent tube production website in Augsburg which belonged to German international lights firm Osram.

Tube Solar, which intends to broaden its annual production ability at Augsburg to 250 MW, claimed its items can be permeated by light as well as water for ideal plant development and also need simple, inexpensive mounting and assembly. The tubes provide partial shading to plants in addition to security from heavy rainfall, hail and also bird droppings and also Tube Solar says their rounded surface area additionally provides a self-cleaning aspect.

Preacher Aiwanger claimed the light-weight devices, in addition to their agrivoltaic applications, could be set up on roof coverings previously believed improper for much heavier, conventional solar modules. "That is why the Free State of Bavaria enjoys to sustain this project with a large grant," stated the politician.

U.S. thin-film solar manufacturer Solyndra created a comparable innovation a years earlier however declared bankruptcy in August 2011, in spite of having protected a $535 million (EUR453 million) loan warranty from the Department of Energy, as well as stated it was a target of unloading by state-backed Chinese solar firms. Round tools have actually been greatly out of vogue because.