Vertical.Solar by Over Easy: Overcoming challenges for vertically mounted bifacial solar panels in different climatic conditions

Over Easy Solar: Fra idé til kommersiell utnyttelse Over Easy Solar har gjennom prosjektet vertical.solar gått fra grunnforskning og prototyper med vertikale solcellepaneler på tak til produktutvikling rettet mot kommersialisering. Prosjektet har vært avgjørende for å muliggjøre utviklingen av Over Easy Solars løsning med prefabrikkerte, vertikale, tosidige solceller for flate tak. Vi har vist at konseptet fungerer svært bra. Dette har vi fått til ved å: - bygge prototyper og forskningsanlegg fra nord i Tromsø til sør i Valencia - utvikle en robust og avansert simuleringsmodell for ytelsesberegninger for vertikale solcellepaneler - demonstrere implementasjon av simuleringsmodellen i et planleggingsverktøy som forenkler planlegging og salg - beregne og vise at systemet tåler sterk vind uten behov for innfesting eller ballast - vise bærekraftsfordeler over konvensjonelle systemer ved hjelp av livssykelanalyser - designe og forbedre solcellepanelene i to nye generasjoner Prototypeanleggene ga verdifulle data og erfaringer som bidro til forbedret design for mest mulig effektiv transport og installasjon. Med prototypene viste vi også at installasjonen av systemet er 10-15 ganger raskere enn tradisjonelle løsninger takket være prefabrikasjonen av ramme og panel. Ytelsen (spesifikk ytelse) varierte fra 747 kWh/kWp i Tromsø til 1200 kWh/kWp i Valencia, med enda større potensiale for neste generasjon. Særlig i nord gir øst/vest-vendte paneler bedre resultater enn vanlige systemer, mens i sør ligger ytelsen på samme nivå eller lavere enn konvensjonelle solcelleløsninger. Refleksjonen fra takoverflaten, kjent som albedo, spiller en viktig rolle. Tester med vårt utendørs testanlegg hos vår forskningspartner, Institutt for Energiteknikk (IFE), viste at hvite takbelegg (albedo 80-90 %) øker ytelsen med 20-25 % sammenlignet med mørke tak. Disse dataene, kombinert med nøyaktige målinger av innstråling og temperatur, ble brukt til å validere ytelsesmodellen vår. Modellen ble utviklet av IFE basert på algoritmebiblioteket pvlib. Modellen er nå implementert i vårt verktøy VPV Planner. Vindlastberegninger utført i samarbeid med Fraunhofer ISE viser at systemet tåler vind med orkan styrke uten å festes i taket. Dette eliminerer risiko for lekkasjer og reduserer monteringstid. Vindtunneltester har bekreftet at designet er stabilt, takket være panelenes lave høyde og god friksjon mot takoverflaten. Lang levetid er avgjørende for bærekraft og for aksept i markedet. Klimakammertester og utendørstester hos IFE har sikret materialvalg som tåler 25-30 års bruk. Livssyklusanalyser fra Fraunhofer ISE viser at vårt system har et globalt oppvarmingspotensial (GWP) på 63 kg CO2-eq/m², langt bedre enn konvensjonelle systemer (127 kg CO2-eq/m²). Gjennom prosjektet har Over Easy Solar også fått bred pressedekning og delt erfaringer gjennom artikler og blogger. Temaer som vinterytelse, albedo og grønne tak har engasjert både fagmiljøer og publikum. vertical.solar har gitt oss et solid forsprang i utviklingen av vertikale, tosidige solceller. Resultatene er en viktig plattform for vår videre suksess. https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/01/08/vertical-rooftop-pv-performs-better-than-conventional-rooftop-solar-under-the-snow/ https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/05/29/cfd-tests-show-wind-resistance-in-vertical-rooftop-pv-systems/ https://www.forskning.no/de-regionale-forskningsfondene-energi-fornybar-energi/nye-solcellepaneler-produserer-mest-strom-pa-morgenen-og-kvelden/1990773

The vertical.solar project has enabled Over Easy Solar to develop the world’s first commercial product for vertical photovoltaics for rooftops, the VPV Unit, and support the marketing of it with science based results. Through the development of the prototype systems and performance analysis as well as other results, the development of the VPV Unit has been made efficient and targeted. We have been able to develop a solid marketing strategy to help us establish activity in Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain and Greece. A key part of our marketing strategy is the inclusion of well-documented performance metrics, such as specific yield across different locations, stability during high winds (verified via wind tunnel testing and computational fluid dynamics), and thorough durability testing of components. The project has enabled this documentation. Environmental performance was also evaluated through a life cycle assessment (LCA), which showed the VPV system favorably compares to conventional PV systems. This is increasingly critical in PV marketing and will serve as a foundation for creating an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for the next generation of VPV products. The project has established a framework and roadmap for further development of Over Easy Solar’s products, manufacturing, and marketing. Key learnings will be further developed in the next projects and future products. This includes simulation models to streamline the planning of VPV systems, aligning with our goal to simplify the value chain from factory to rooftop energy production. For the research partners, the project has provided valuable insights. IFE gained expertise in developing and testing PV modules, enhancing Norway’s capabilities in this field and contributing to ongoing and future projects. Knowledge developed during vertical.solar is unique internationally, especially in the area of vertical bifacial PV. Fraunhofer ISE also advanced tools for evaluating wind loads on vertical panels, which will drive future innovations and research. The availability of the VPV Unit on the market is expected to expand the use of PV on flat-roof buildings, particularly on low load-bearing and green roofs, where PV installation was previously challenging. Its advantageous power production curve, delivering energy during high-demand periods in the morning and afternoon, adds value in today’s energy market. Verified ease of installation supports faster solar energy deployment, and we anticipate significant contributions to reducing CO2 emissions from electricity production. The vertical.solar project has been instrumental in positioning Over Easy Solar to make this impact.

About 50% of all solar cell capacity worldwide is installed on buildings. Yet, about 90% of roof areas on buildings are not utilized for any purpose, and, even in 2021, new buildings with excellent solar conditions are being built without solar installations. Over Easy Solar is developing a novel concept for a solar module with extremely efficient and simple installation for flat roofs. The solution has been made possible by recent development within bifacial solar cells. Patent-pending, the solution has been tested in a working prototype during summer 2021, where we demonstrated 10x faster mounting, good energy yields and a power production profile that will be of high value for future customers. The way Over Easy mounts the bifacial solar panels is unconventional; they are vertically aligned and, ideally, receiving equal amounts of light on both sides. Standard energy simulation software for solar installations is not fine-tuned for this, and there is almost no field data publicly available for different climates and locations. This is a high risk for the company and future customers, and research is needed to develop the simulation models and obtain production data. The vertical mounting also gives different exposure to wind loads. Indeed, mostly positive for our concept, which will not depend on fastening to the roof or ballast. However, to certify the components and avoid any incidents, research on the effects of wind is needed. The different design also demands research on the strength and durability of the components in the solution. We want to minimize the material usage to reduce climate impact, but at the same time have a strong and durable structure. The project will enable Over Easy to develop a high-quality and highly innovative solar product with a global market. The knowledge developed in the project will be unique and may find other utilizations in solar tech, and create interest and buzz around solar innovations from Norway.