Selection of Flanders Make as subcontractor

Within the HighLite Project Task 5.3 different types of photovoltaic (PV) modules are being developed for the integration in passenger vehicles. To effectively integrate a PV module into a body panel of a passenger’s car, the HighLite consortium relies on the expertise of a third party which was to be subcontracted for this project. Flanders Make was selected as a subcontractor to support the Highlite project and the involved project partners for the development and testing of VIPV modules.

Flanders Make is the strategic research centre for the manufacturing industry contributing to the technological development of the vehicles, machines and factories of the future and offering an extensive range of testing and validation infrastructure for products or production. With Flanders Make as the subcontractor the HighLite consortium is gaining an experienced company for car body panels testing and the associated norms and requirements.

The training provided by Flanders Make to the consortium on “legal safety requirements on photovoltaic integration in vehicle body panels” will allow for VIPV modules to be designed according to the PV industry norms as well as according to the vehicle industry norms on body panels.

The provision of car body panels and the relevant information will allow for the VIPV module design to be suitable for integration in the passenger vehicle which Flanders Make will make available for dissemination purposes. Additionally, Flanders Make’s industry-relevant testing facilities will be used for the testing and monitoring of photovoltaic integrated car body panels produced in HighLite. The indoor simulated test based on real driving and environmental conditions will allow for a good comparison between the different technologies developed by the VIPV consortium.

Flanders Make are therefore a good fit to fulfil the tasks described in the tender and to advise on the development of photovoltaic integrated body panels for passenger vehicles relevant to the car industry.