Source: Brunel University London

Hybrid snap-together solar panels are under development at Brunel University London to convert waste heat into hot water as part of the PVadapt project. The three and a half-year multi-disciplinary initiative involves 18 organizations from 11 nations, and the resulting Lego-like solar roofing panels are expected to be installed into eight buildings in Spain, Greece, Austria and Portugal.

The building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system integrates flat heat pipes to cool the solar cells, improving overall efficiency and extending service life. The heat generated by the PV panels is harnessed to produce hot water for residences and commercial sites.

The goal is to engineer a prefabricated BIPV energy and thermal storage system in the form of £260 ($341 USD) per square meter panels for public buildings, office buildings, developing areas and off-grid applications.

According to Professor Hussam Jouhara, inventor of the multifunctional flat heat pipe, “Our solar panels are PV coated for the most southerly-facing aspect of the roof and are designed to clip together as a weather-tight roof as simply as clicking together Legos or laminate flooring."