Fraunhofer’s R&D project plug and Play Solar Panels

The US Department of Energy funded a research and development project which goal is to develop technology solutions and solar information that will lessen the amount of running a residential solar PV system. Installation of solar photovoltaic systems is accompanied with a lot of non-hardware components expenses such as government permits, inspection and interconnection.

Currently, these expenses account for a significant part of the total cost of installing residential solar PV systems.  These extra expenses serve as a serious obstruction to a wider acceptance and employment of solar power in the United States.

A research firm based in Boston, MA, is now performing a 5-year research and Development, The Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems is focusing its R&D to develop plug and play solar photovoltaic systems. When deemed successful, this will allow consumers to acquire, set up and connect solar PV systems in their own homes or even companies and offices without the need to pay contractors and consultants.

Solar news break out early this year informing that Fraunhofer, together with the NC State were awarded with DOE grants to push and pursue the main goal of this project. CSE (Fraunhofer), according to these solar news got $11.7 million for the program that started in February.

The prime purpose of this R&D project is to create a cost effective and less complex PV system that the average homeowner can install in his rooftop. Based on solar information accepted in the industry, the installed cost of a PV system should preferably be less than $1.50 per watt.

Fraunhofer CSE works as a laboratory that permits larger corporation to formulate questions and perform the initial experiments without spending too much. CSE is now digging deeper at all the cost components mixed up in the hardware factor to make each component, especially the solar panels, easier and safer to install. Kinsey also mentioned that their two major areas of concentration are reducing the need for roof penetrations, and shortening the weight of modules to reduce the need for permitting.

The main idea is to keep them connected securely and make sure that they would run in plug-in-play function to diminish the installation cost. By so doing, the last inhibitors are gone and the hindrance has been reduced way down.

One big question is that “How can an average home owner managed to keep up the solar panel system in their roof without spending too much? The best recommendation there is to make modules lighter and drop down the amount needed for permitting and inspection. This action will definitely make the system affordable and function more effectively.

Fraunhofer CSE has some achievement in this field. They have already developed a module that would stick to smooth and flat commercial roofing since 2008 by Lumeta, one of the plug-and-play collaborators. Nevertheless, it is way too discouraging to stick on solar module to a slanted residential roof with typical shingles made with asphalt and aggregate. Despite the consequences, Fraunhofer should pursue its endeavor to develop easier to install and cost effective solar panels so that individuals can afford to run and install a residential solar PV systems.

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