With support from SNN Samfunnsløftet and Tromsø kommunes Fremtids- og næringsfond we have the last two years been working with the project ‘Solenergi i nord’ – developing new solutions for building integrated photovoltaics.
With background in the research project ‘Northern Homes’ managed by UiT the Arctic University of Norway – focusing on the sustainable upgrading of the many 'reconstruction houses' (gjenreisningshus) built in Northern Norway after World War II – we have developed solar panels adapted to existing and historical buildings.
The aim has been to produce prototypes combining visual and technical qualities, with the ambition to develop good solutions that preserve the character of both the buildings and the settlements where these are an important part of the cultural heritage.
Several important collaborators have been part of the process:
First the very inspiring workshops with Glasshytta Blåst in Tromsø to investigate how to achieve different textures and expressions in glass slates.
With these results we worked further with the glass workshop of Kolektiv Ateliers, Czech Republic, producing samples with a great range in structures and prints.
The samples were tested by Clara Good, Associate Professor at the Department of Technology and Safety, UiT, to select which ones to develop further.
Kolektiv Ateliers produced the glass slates for the prototypes, and Solskifer, Elverum, mounted them into solar panels – ready to be installed on a test rig at the university campus.
Now we are just waiting for the sun to come back to see the prototypes functioning in real life!
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