optical photovoltaic solar panel facade

HCPV module prototype


according to research institutes, HCPV (high concentration photovoltaic) solar panels will replace the conventional PV ones
in the near future. due to high efficiency and lower price per/watt energy generation, they will become more competitive compared
to the existing fossil fuels. 'light farm' developed by milan-based designer moshsen saleh, offers a competitive alternative to fossil
energy as it has been engineered to integrate with any existing building's facade and rooftop providing the end user with electricity
and heat.

currently, household energy consumption in temperate places equals 20,000 KWH averaging a medium power consumption
of 2280 watts. every sq. meter of sunlight contains 1000 to 1350 watts. where 2 meters of constant sunlight energy would
provide a household with sufficient energy. considering 5 hours of average daily sunshine with medium intensity of 900 watts,
using PV cells of 17% efficiency, an area of 75 meters of PV cells would provide a house with its energy requirement.

designer with a fresnel magnifier




first module prototype with HCPV

building designed with lightfarm project
image by nasser taghavi



building designed with lightfarm project
image by nasser taghavi

(left) principle of the design
(right) insulation of module

(left) barcelona flower market designed by willy muller architects
(right) milan building facade photographed by designer

explanation of linear facade module


the concept of the project occurred when the saleh was trying to design a method to transfer sunlight into the internal rooms
of large buildings for lighting purposes during the day. concentrating light with a parabolic or fresnel module into a collector,
the harnessed light then could be transferred into the buildings using fiber optics. noticing that sunlight hits the facade and
rooftop of buildings every day the system was shifted from light transferring into light harnessing: a system that concentrates
sunlight and converts it to electricity and collectable heat.

designboom has received this project from our 'DIY submissions' feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication.