Over Easy Solar AS developed a rooftop PV system with two peaks in power generation – at 11am and 7pm, and deployed the system on a school building.
Norwegian start-up Over Easy Solar AS has completed the first pilot project using its vertical solar module technology for rooftop applications.
CEO Trygve Mongstad told pv magazine: “The 5 kW system was deployed on a school building in Oslo. We deployed our modular solution at a height of 31.4 cm from the roof and did not require ballast or fastening. We are validating its application in every building and local wind conditions."
The City of Oslo owns the PV system and supports it through its Smart Oslo Innovation Fund. The electricity generated by the system will be mainly used for own consumption, and excess electricity will also be sold to the grid at spot prices under Norway's net metering scheme.
"The direction we chose produces a peak around 11 a.m. and a second peak around 7 p.m.," Mongstad explained, citing the advantages of deploying vertical solar arrays at high latitudes. "The reason for choosing to generate electricity in the morning and evening is because the school will have other extracurricular activities at this time."
Andreas Nilsen, energy and environment consultant for municipal company Oslobygg, said the electricity generation was a "perfect match" to the school's demand profile.
Over Easy Solar uses 150 special solar panels based on heterojunction solar cell technology. They have an efficiency of 22%, a bifacial ratio of up to 92%, and a temperature coefficient of -0.26 C. The panels are installed in 50 vertical photovoltaic units.
The units consist of a mounting system and solar panels in a pre-assembled set for faster installation. The geometry is a low slab perpendicular to the building, requiring little tightening or ballast, further simplifying installation work. Each unit measures 1,600 mm x 1,510 mm x 350 mm and weighs 24.5 kg. It also features an IP68 case rating and 3.2mm dual tempered glass.
Mongstad said: “We are trying to reduce the cost to a level that can be competitive with traditional solar installations. The modularity of the vertical system is the key to reducing the cost. By integrating the installation system into the product, we are able to reduce the cost, and the installation is faster than traditional solar installations. faster and easier solar products.”
Modularity makes deployment very easy and fast, he said.
He said: “The entire installation was done in less than an hour, and the two workers were just laying out the vertical unit. Our current challenge at the company level is the commercialization of the product. For that, we need venture capital, early adopters and other Support through the 'Valley of Death'."