Within the META BUILD project, partner ENDEF is developing a hybrid solar air panel capable of simultaneously generating electricity and hot air. These panels, known as PVT (photovoltaic-thermal), maximize the energy produced per square meter and help reduce both electricity and heating consumption in buildings. In addition to incorporating the latest photovoltaic technologies, ENDEF has developed an optimized design that facilitates integration into the most common roof typologies.
During the first phase of the META BUILD project, ENDEF has manufactured several prototypes in which the internal geometry varies in order to maximize the heat exchange between the photovoltaic laminate and the circulating air, thereby achieving improved energy performance. These prototypes are currently operating under natural solar radiation conditions on a test bench installed at ENDEF’s facilities in Zaragoza (Spain). The testing bench is fully monitored, including flow meter, temperature sensors, pressure gauge and electrical measurements, which allows the evaluation of the electrical and thermal performance under quasi-real operating conditions.
The prototype demonstrating the best performance will be installed at two demonstration sites included in the project. The front case will be an industrial warehouse in Greece, and the second case will be a replicator one, a commercial facility in France.