Spain-based Izpitek has developed an 86 kW building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system for tunnel entrances and exits that provides power for lighting, demonstrating how solar energy can be adapted to complex architectural environments.
Izpitek Solar, a Spanish startup specialized in the development of integrated PV solutions, has developed and implemented a unique solar project on the La Avanzada highway near Leioa, Biscay, in northeastern Spain.
The project is located at the entrances to the tunnels, a result of the underground works of the highway that previously divided the city in two.
The installation has a power of 86 kW, achieved by 400 photovoltaic modules based on monocrystalline silicon cells, combining 185 W and 245 W units. The modules are specifically designed for mounting on circular structures and are seamlessly integrated into the architectural elements that form the entrances and exits of the underground tunnels, without compromising the geometry or aesthetics of the infrastructure, the company said.
From a functional point of view, the energy generated is used entirely for self-consumption to meet the electrical demand of the tunnel’s lighting system.
The installation is expected to generate approximately 80,000 kWh per year.
“This project sets a benchmark for advanced architectural integration of solar energy into underground road infrastructure,” an Izpitek spokesperson said. pv magazine. “It demonstrates the technical, functional and aesthetic feasibility of solar photovoltaics in complex urban environments traditionally excluded from conventional solar energy.”
The company said its panels can be adapted to “any architectural element exposed to solar radiation,” opening up new possibilities where conventional photovoltaic systems are not viable.
The project was promoted by Interbiak, a government company under the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, and implemented by Ondoan S. Coop. It includes criteria on sustainability, energy efficiency and urban integration.
Izpitek Solar’s patented technology is based on photovoltaic modules embedded in monolithic composite materials and is protected by several patents. According to the company, the technology offers greater freedom in mechanical and aesthetic design, weight savings of 70% to 95% compared to conventional panels, and high durability by eliminating the risk of delamination, as well as a wide range of finishes, translucency options and substrates.
Izpitek added that it has a production capacity of 32 MW per year at its factory in Güeñes, in the Spanish province of Bizkaia, and said integrated solar photovoltaics “is an important tool to decarbonize urban infrastructure and make use of previously underutilized surfaces.”
The company was created from technological developments originating from the Tecnalia Technology Center and Branka Solutions. The products use monocrystalline silicon cells with an efficiency of more than 20%.
Izpitek offers custom mechanical designs that enable flexible, rigid and curved products and other formats. The modules are available in a range of aesthetic options, with thicknesses as low as 0.4mm, and can be installed using glue or screws, or fully integrated into existing structures.
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