When it comes to building-integrated PV elements for the facade, the visual appearance is the deciding factor for architects to use such systems. At the same time, in addition to the aesthetic requirements, functional and, increasingly, ecological aspects must also interact perfectly. A challenging function for facade planners.
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Ceramic Colors Wolbring GmbH
Coloured solar modules for the facade represent an innovative solution that cleverly takes all these aspects into account. However, the options previously available for colouring solar modules offered either moderate efficiency or a very small range of colours to choose from. This is different today. ‘We are currently the only provider in the world where architects and module manufacturers can have completely individual colours developed for their projects, right up to jumbo glass. And without having to make any major compromises in terms of performance,’ emphasises Holger Geisler, Managing Director of Ceramic Colors Wolbring.
Many colours, high performance
With the patented ColorQuant technology from Ceramic Colors Wolbring, almost any colour can now be provided for solar modules with high colour consistency - without significant losses in solar output.
‘Many competitors talk about coloured solar facades and actually only offer 10 standard colours,’ says Holger Geisler.
In addition, the company offers a special service by providing corresponding glass samples promptly. Geisler: ‘After just a few days, the sample is printed and burnt onto glass for interested parties and customers. After the final decision on a colour sample, we then deliver a coloured glass in 20 × 20 cm to the module manufacturer so that they can use it to build a functional mini-module for efficiency measurement.’
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Ceramic Colors Wolbring GmbH
The ColorQuant technology offers an almost infinite variety of colour variants, all of which are developed in the company's own laboratory, which is managed by Andrea Birnbach. Each mixture is archived and can be easily reordered if required, even years later. The ability to test and adjust different shades ensures that the end result is exactly what the architects and clients want.
How the colours work
The ColorQuant colour offered exclusively by Ceramic Colors Wolbring is based on the physical principle of interference. Instead of absorbing sunlight, the layer of colour printed on the back of the front glass only reflects the desired colour tone, thus creating the visible colour effect.
The low opacity leads to an outstanding colour performance ratio of up to 98 % compared to uncoloured standard glass. The efficiency of the installed solar modules is therefore virtually retained, making ColorQuant colours an ideal solution for energy-efficient buildings, says Holger Geisler.
How are the colours applied?
The colour is applied to the back of the front glass using conventional screen printing. All the technical possibilities of this printing process, such as patterns, motifs or multi-coloured prints, can therefore also be used for the coloured solar facade.
Matthias Rehberger / GW
The colours are burnt in using the standard ESG/TVG tempering process, i.e. after printing and drying the colours, they are then burnt in during tempering! The ColorQuant system is processed using the existing equipment for ceramic screen printing. Processors who also offer ceramic screen printing can therefore immediately start processing the ColorQuant colours and produce the corresponding glasses.
The front of the glass can be glossy, matt or textured, depending on the requirements for glare protection and the desired design effect.
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Andrea Birnbach: ‘As we develop and produce the ColorQuant colours in-house, Ceramic Colors Wolbring can not only quickly provide samples with colours, but also make corresponding colour adjustments if required.’
Holger Geisler: ‘Our motto is: If you can imagine it, we can colour it! And architects and module builders are happy to accept this promise. Our ColorQuant technology opens up completely new and, above all, exciting possibilities and ensures unprecedented efficiency for coloured solar modules and is also a clear statement for sustainability and design in the planning of buildings and facades.’
Matthias Rehberger
