Technology developed in Porto "turns" photovoltaic panels into tiles

Researchers from the Faculty of Engineering of Porto University (FEUP) have developed a technology that includes images and logos in photovoltaic panels, making them similar to tiles. The aim is to encourage its application on buildings' facades.

Normally, "photovoltaic technologies are the main candidates to producing energy closer to production sites, especially in cities", as explained by project researcher Luísa Andrade to News Agency Lusa.

The goal of the Portuguese Solar Tiles, as referred by this researcher, is to "help the sustainable construction market solve the issue of photovoltaic thin film panels' integration in urban environments".

The Project researcher further explained that this type of thin film panels are aesthetically more adaptable and more efficient on the uptake of diffuse radiation. This panels are available in various colours and patterns, and are similar to tiles.

The goal is to "combine tradition and technological innovation and also to bring Portuguese authenticity to urban settings".

The Portuguese Solar Tiles technology has been developed at FEUP's Engineering lab since 2007, under the guidance of Professor Adélio Mendes.

This technology was honoured with the first prize for the 2017 Business Ignition Programme (BIP), funded by Norte 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union.