Innovative and highly-efficient solar thermal collector for Building façades

Project Information

Prisma

Grant agreement ID: 781835

DOI

10.3030/781835

Project closed

EC signature date 21 July 2017

Start date 1 August 2017

End date 30 November 2017

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

ASOLUNA AB
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Prisma (Innovative and highly-efficient solar thermal collector for Building façades)

Reporting period: 2017-08-01 to 2017-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Prisma is a multifunctional solar thermal collector for integration in the building envelope in such forms as façades, decorative elements, parapets, glazing etc. It acts as a climate envelope that efficiently protects the building from unwanted heating or cooling, while at the same time delivering solar heating to the building’s systems.
Prisma contributes to the architectonic features of a building, becoming a natural or an enhanced part of the façade.
The objective of this feasibility study is to confirm the technical feasibility and business opportunity to take the Prisma solar collector to the market. We aim to discern the needs and demands of our stakeholders, and to identify the best business model to exploit the technology. We also consider whether the viability of including any additional functionalities that our customers are looking for.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

We have performed a series of analyses:
• Gap analysis: Is the prototype conforming with the feedback from the stakeholders? In case it isn’t, what do we have to change? How important is this change? Is it possible to make it? What will it cost? How long will it take? Will customers be willing to pay for the increased price of the improved solution?
• Risk analysis to identify potential risks from a commercial and financial point of view.
• Scale up analysis: To identify the industrial partners that will produce the parts what will it take to bring the new improved prototype to the market? What parts are special, how can they be made standard? How can manual work in production be replaced by standard parts?
• Business model analysis including an updated business model canvas and the creation of a growth strategy.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

In summary, this Phase 1 project has proved the technical and financial feasibility of the new Prisma solar collector. The conclusions of these studies are:
1. Stakeholders: During the Prisma Horizon2020 Phase 1, Asoluna has started a cooperation with the Norwegian solar thermal company ASV Solar AS. This cooperation has the potential of being fruitful in several ways, and one is to combine the lower cost solutions ASV Solar is using in their solar collectors with the features of Prisma.
As earlier identified the most important customer segment will the real estate building entrepreneurs. The key to succeed in this segment is through architects. Extensive efforts will be placed to find a good cooperation with architects.
2. There are specific geographic markets that are more attractive than others: favourable sun conditions, regulations, government incentives, distance from Sweden and the size and familiarity of the sector. The sales in Sweden and Norway will be through direct sales and export to other countries will be through distributors.
3. Technical tests and analysis have demonstrated the technical viability of scaling up the product as well as including the knowledge and technology from ASV Solar´s collectors. The identified technical tasks will form the basis of Phase 2, ready to bring the product to the market shortly after Phase 2 is completed.
4. The updated business plan for the Prisma project has a realistic and conservative approach in sales predictions and cost assessment, and shows financial feasibility of the project.

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