TULiPPS
"The really exciting thing about this project is that we have brought together the best partners representing the most innovative PV module technologies currently available. This consortium represents the entire module supply chain, from upstream equipment suppliers, to downstream engineering / procurement / construction (EPC) firms, and even testing/certification organizations. Working together, we will integrate all these leading-edge technologies into a single multifunctional module platform that provides a remarkable combination of value-added features that have never been packaged together before. We are going to demonstrate just how valuable and powerful that combination is in a number of public demonstration projects over the next few years."
Paul Stassen, consortium leader and TULiPPS B.V. founder and CEO.
Headquartered at the Eindhoven High Tech Campus, TULiPPS was the 2012 winner of the Dutch Solar Award in the Industry Development category for its innovative COSMOS® module technology platform, which was developed cooperatively with partners from the plastics/composites, automotive, PV module, roofing, and PV installer market segments. Two unique aspects of the platform are the use of a very-thin 2-mm (0.08-inch) face layer of fully tempered glass plus a hybrid composite/metal “underbody” construction that supports the rest of the module. Since bulky and unattractive conventional aluminum PV frames are replaced by the patent-pending “frameless” support system on all COSMOSmodules, the effect is a more attractive pitched roof or cladding that weighs and costs less than conventional BIPV modules. Design flexibility also provides opportunities to cover more surface area than is possible with conventional modules. Further, TULiPPS is the consortium leader for a Dutch Top-sector Knowledge and Innovation (TKI) solar demonstration project for Lightweight Rooftop BIPV (LiRoB), which has received €1.9-million/$2.6-million USD funding from the Dutch government.
Country: Netherlands
Femtogrid Energy Solutions
A power-management technology company specializing in safe, reliable, “plug-‘n-play” power optimizers and smart electronics for the sustainable-energy market (e.g. solar, urban wind, and blue energy), Femtogrid’s technology features patented parallel software architecture combined with very-high-efficiency power-point tracking per individual sustainable energy source. Products equipped with unique Femtogrid technology generate more energy, and yield measurably higher efficiency (up to 30% more) per system.
Country: Netherlands
Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology
“The new concepts for PV modules, which are developed by the SUMMIT consortium, offer great opportunities to replace former metal assemblies by function-integrated designs made from thermoplastic composites. These materials are already well established e.g. in the automotive industry to realize lightweight and durable technical components. However, for an outdoor building environment additional challenges have to be solved and we at Fraunhofer ICT are happy to support the project with our longstanding experience in material and process development.”
Benjamin Hangs, Fraunhofer
With long-standing expertise in all aspects of polymer engineering for plastics and composites applications, particularly in the fields of materials and process development for high-volume production, Fraunhofer ICT provides development support from design through manufacturing. It is part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe’s largest applied-research organization with 22,000 employees and an annual research budget of over €1.9 billion/$2.6 billion USD.
Country: Germany
IBC-Solar
Founded in 1982, IBC-Solar is an engineering/procurement/construction firm specializing in solar PV systems. The company operates globally and coordinates solar projects of every size. It also providesoperation maintenance, and monitors its custom-built power supplies. Additionally, integration of multiple energy sources with PV systems is a core competency of IBC-Solar. With over 150,000 turnkey systems representing more than 2.5 gigawatts (GWp) installed capacity, IBC-Solar is one of the world’s leading PV systems integrators.
Country: Netherlands
KIWA Italy
An internationally accredited testing and certification institute, Kiwa is considered the reference certifier within the building and construction as well as energy sectors. Kiwa Italy’s laboratory is able to test and certify PV modules according to global standards, including the International Electrotechnical Commission & European (IEC & EN) Standards (e.g. IEC-EN 61730, IEC 61215, and IEC 61646). Additionally, Kiwa can test and certify materials and components for these systems.
Country: Italy
Uniresearch Service Supplier
Since 1994, Uniresearch, an independent grant-consultancy company, has specialized in the startup and management of technology innovations. The company provides high-quality services helping clients find funding opportunities and prepare applications for regional, national, and pan-European grants like the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Program (FP7) and Horizon2020. Uniresearch’s full services support customers throughout each stage of a research and innovation project: from project definition, through consortium-building and proposal writing, to contract negotiation, project execution, and dissemination of results. In fact, Uniresearch customers enjoy a success rate for European grants that is three-times higher than the average.
Country: Netherlands
Yparex
Yparex B.V. is a leading European supplier of extrudable tie-layer resins for a variety of high-tech applications, including multilayer barrier packaging film, medical film, multilayer pipe, architectural wall cladding, and wire & cable. Combining outstanding technical support, fast response times, innovative approaches to resin chemistry, and co-development opportunities, the company is an ideal partner for those seeking more efficient methods to bond dissimilar materials together across large surfaces. The newest use of this resin technology is as a next-generation, long-life encapsulant for PV systems replacing ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer.
Country: Netherlands
Rimas Technology Group
A global technology company providing equipment and knowledge for product assembly and production, Rimas specializes in tailor-made engineering solutions in fields as diverse as automotive, aerospace, and solar. Rimas Solar Production Systems produces individual machinery as well as turnkey manufacturing lines for automated and semi-automated (lean) PV module production plus back-end solutions for PV and thin-film lines. Known for its high standards in product quality and service, Rimas also consults on production layout and all relevant solar module manufacturing issues to support startup and growth scenarios.
Country: Netherlands
Solned
As a Dutch family business, located in the high-tech Brainport region, Solned has been able to connect to the world of solar energy for 15 years. We do this by sharing knowledge and experience and bringing people, expertise, markets and technologies together.
This creates practical solutions and that is what we like. Do you want to get the best possible return on investment from your and your customer’s solar panels in a safe and visible way? We think and act in terms of solutions.
We sell products that contribute to the optimization and safety of your solar panels: from one module / component to a complete solar power system. If a standard product didn’t solve your problem, we will develop and produce custom-made products for you.
Country: Netherlands
Agreement no. 322425.