Avancis, a Germany based CIGS solar module manufacturer for building integrated PV (BIPV), presented during last Intersolar its architectural module for solar façades and BIPV applications, known as SKALA. The CIGS thin-film PV module serves as a solar-active building material with high aesthetic value.

The company designed the module to be frameless with no visible fixings, giving the appearance of a homogeneous glass surface. According to the company, SKALA is a cross-material all-rounder; by spanning a range of material, size, and color, the module allows maximum freedom in planning and designing solar active elements of a building envelope. Modules have a standard size of 1,587 x 664 mm that can be downsized to a minimum of 664 x 664 mm. The combination of standardized and resized panels allows for the creation of tailor-made solutions.

SKALA can be combined with a variety of building materials, including aluminum, fiber, concrete, wood, and mesh metal. The CIGS module is black by default, but these architectural modules are available in a variety of colors.

Unlike other colored PV modules, SKALA creates its color through the reflection of sunlight, according to a product brochure. Avancis provides various levels of integration services for its BIPV solutions, including modules only, consulting on top, and turnkey. Avancis also built a tiny house that  to demonstrate its BIPV skills.

The text is an excerpt from TaiyangNews report on New Solar Products Overview 9M/2022, which can be downloaded for free here.