Integrating photovoltaic solar panels onto historic protected sites has often been a problem without a real solution. However, a milestone has been reached in the village of Ecuvillens, located in the Swiss canton of Fribourg, where terracotta-red solar panels have been installed on the roof of a farmhouse.
 
Developed by CSEM (Swiss center for microelectronics and microtechnologies) and ISSOL Suisse, this technology allows the farmhouse to fully retain its original character. This pilot project was made possible thanks to the relevant government agencies (the Department of Energy and the Department of Cultural Property) and the support provided by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) and ÜserHuus, as well as the commitment of various partners.
 
In recent years, CSEM has proposed several new transformative approaches for photovoltaic panels, in an important effort in reconciling energy, esthetics, and historic preservation objectives. One of these technological innovations is currently receiving its first practical application: as part of a pilot project, a new generation of solar modules were installed on the roof of a farmhouse in Ecuvillens belonging to Alexandre Galley. The solar panels are based on standard crystalline solar cells, but present a homogeneous aspect. Its coloring resembles terracotta tiles, allowing the farmhouse to fully retain its original character.
 
The project was completed due to ISSOL Suisse, which provided 230 square meters of solar panels, as well as the Lausanne-based company Solstis, which handled their installation.
 
This new pilot installation is expected to generate 28 MWh of electricity per year, around 20% less than traditional photovoltaic technology. The installation in Ecuvillens supplies enough electricity to power eight four-person households, which easily covers the farmhouse’s needs. The remaining output will be returned to the grid.