Morpho Butterfly Inspired Coloured BIPV Modules

Abstract

In order to support acceptance and attractivity of building integrated PV (BIPV), there is a rapidly increasing demand for coloured PV modules. Especially, architects and building planners wish an individual colour choice, saturated colors, a homogeneous appearance for all angles of incidence and at the same time a high module efficiency. Furthermore, it is important that glare effects can be suppressed. State of the art concepts offer a restricted choice of colours, show a strong angular dependence, cause a high efficiency loss or do not allow for an efficient industrial production. We overcome these restrictions by using the Morpho butterfly effect, a bionic concept based on 3D photonic structures. Our novel technological realization of these structures is well suited for large scale production.