Innovating in the solar sector with Tecnalia and the Seamless project
In their quest to innovate integrated photovoltaics through the Seamless project, Tecnalia, a leader in applied R&D and member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance, required specialized equipment. They turned to us for expert solutions.
Tecnalia: the client
Tecnalia is the main applied R&D center in Spain and one of the most relevant at the European level. With their Seamless project, funded by the Horizon Europe research program, they are trying to revolutionize the solar power sector by implementing advanced integrated photovoltaics (IPV). Thanks to their design flexibility, IPVs can be integrated into buildings, infrastructures, EVs, or agricultural environments, offering these sectors a multipurpose product that provides structural and other functional advantages, all while generating electricity. The goal of the Seamless project is to develop new effective industrial equipment, manufacturing processes, and final products to give more impetus to the IPV sector.
Combining HP-RTM & RIM: the challenge
For this ambitious research project, Tecnalia required a supplier for thermoset resin dosing units that could be customized to meet their unique product development needs: the machine would need to be compact and suitable for laboratory use. A crucial part of the project involved developing a production technology that combined all the features of high-pressure resin transfer molding (HP-RTM) and RIM coating — areas in which Cannon has extensive expertise — for solar panel components.
Our turnkey solution
To meet Tecnalia’s challenge, we designed and supplied a custom E-System dosing unit optimized for laboratory research. This solution features small tanks that are easy to load and unload, enabling rapid chemical changes and are perfectly adapted for experimental use. Our compact LN 6 EPX mixing head, specifically developed to handle high in-mold pressure, was the ideal solution for their closed-mold processes.
The process involves using a closed mold where a substrate is coated with a glass fiber veil, then closing the mold and injecting a specific thermoset resin. With this technique, Tecnalia achieved high-quality reinforced coatings, significantly contributing to the Seamless project’s progress and advancing the integrated photovoltaic sector.
