Glas Trösch, the Swiss parent company of Scheuten, is launching a printed front panel for solar panels on the market. SWISSPANEL SOLAR’s printing technology was developed in collaboration with the University of Lucerne. The colored print has a surprisingly small impact on the efficiency of the PV modules. Depending on the motif and color, the efficiency of modules with a full-surface print is between 75 and 90 percent of that of conventional PV panels. The energy of the sun is inexhaustible and available to all of us for free. PV has therefore been one of the most sustainable ways to generate electricity for years. In addition to technical parameters, the appearance of PV modules plays an increasingly important role. This is where the SWISSPANEL SOLAR front panel comes into its own. Glas Trösch prints the glass in its own words ‘with a tailor-made design without making major concessions to the electricity yield’. The front glass of SWISSPANEL SOLAR is finished with the ceramic digital print Colorprint CP. The process ensures maximum flexibility with regard to individual design and color requirements. Options include full-surface color printing, patterns, photos, and even logos. the thermosetting process, in which the color is permanently burned into the glass at Position 2, results in tempered safety glass. Thermally reinforced glass as a finished product is also possible. In both products, the PV modules and printed motifs protect against wind and weather. Another advantage of SWISSPANEL SOLAR is that the structure of the PV modules does not change. The colored glass simply replaces the usual transparent glass. The result is similar to a conventional panel suitable for both facades and roofs. The PV modules can be designed so that they are hardly noticeable, adapted to the surrounding facade or roof covering. Printing the glass has a minimal effect on the environmental impact of the panel. The widely used LCA indicator of ‘environmental impact points’ in Switzerland increases by less than one percent. In addition, the printed front glass meets all current European requirements in terms of safety, quality and durability. The panel is also CE marked.
