Volvo Pure Tension Pavilion Powered By US-Sourced Solar Panels
Colorado-based
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is the provider of solar modules for
the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid dedicated charger study, the Volvo Pure
Tension Pavilion project.
The company explained its flexible and lightweight CIGS solar modules
were selected for integration into the Pavilion’s tensioned mesh
membrane structure.
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. describes itself as a manufacturer of
award winning flexible CIGS thin-film photovoltaic modules as well as
consumer and off-grid products integrated with the flexible modules.
Volvo’s pavilion
is a portable, solar-powered tensile membrane structure made for the
launch of the new Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid electric car. The pavilion
not only charges the car but also flat-packs to fit in the trunk of the
car and is designed to assemble easily in less than one hour.
Volvo said the project aspires to reinvent the typical pavilion
through the combination of dynamic form, optical effects and
flexibility.
Ascent added the structure of the pavilion is highlighted by its
unusual form and mesh skin embedded with a total of 252 7 x 7 inches
lightweight flexible photovoltaic panels throughout.
The pavilion is now part of a 9 month multi-city promotional tour starting in Milan and ending at The Plan Magazine’s annual Perspective event in Venice next summer.
Ascent said its solar modules are able to be uniquely integrated into
the pavilion’s tensioned mesh skin due to their extremely lightweight
and flexible construction, allowing them to be deployed in ways never
before possible when using traditional crystalline solar, which is both
rigid and heavy, or any other non-flexible thin-film solar modules.
“Ascent constantly aims to provide innovative solar integrated
solutions which bring the incredible power generating capabilities of
our technology closer to consumers who can use them in their everyday
lives,” said John Maslanik, Ascent’s Manager of Business Development.
“The Volvo Pavilion project shares the goal of bringing solar into the
realm of everyday use, making the project a perfect partnership.”
The Pure Tension pavilion is the winning project resulting from a
competition for architects and designers held in May and commissioned by
Volvo Car Italia in collaboration with the magazine for Architecture
and Technologies The Plan.