IEA PVPS Task 15 - Enabling Framework for the Development of BIPV (p2)

The work within Task 15 was divided into 5 different subtasks. Click on a subtask to read more:

1. Technological Innovation System (TIS) analysis for BIPV
2. Cross-sectional analysis: learning from existing BIPV installations
3. BIPV guidelines
4. Digitalization for BIPV
5. Pre-normative international research on BIPV characterisation methods

Swedish participants in phase 2 of Task 15 were: RISE, White Architects, Soltech Energy and Mälardalen University (until 2021).

Subtask A: Technological Innovation System (TIS) analysis for BIPV

Swedish participants in this subtask: RISE (subtask leadership), Mälardalen University and Soltech Energy

RISE led this subtask where seven countries studied the actors working with BIPV, how those interact, which regulations affect solar PV in buildings and what cultures exist within the solar PV and construction industry.

The work resulted in six national reports that analyse conditions for BIPV in each country and give recommendations on how market development could be stimulated:

• Spain
• Sweden
• Italy
• Australia
• Austria
• Netherlands

In addition to the national reports, an international synthesis report was also compiled that compares the conditions and recommendations between the aforementioned six countries and Finland.

For more background on the TIS methodology, a handbook for the implementation of TIS analyses for BIPV was also published, which hopefully can get more countries to investigate how BIPV can gain greater impact on their markets.

Subtask B : Cross-sectional analysis: learning from existing BIPV installations

Swedish participants in this subtask: White Architects and Mälardalen University

The second subtask aimed to develop a method for assessing BIPV facilities. In addition, key figures were identified and defined for several relevant perspectives:

• Economic performance
• Energy performance
• Environmental performance
• Visual/Optical performance

With the help of performance indicators and specially developed diagrams, the performance of different BIPV facilities can easily be presented and compared.

The methodology and key figures will be published in a scientific article and an IEA PVPS report shortly. The report will also present several examples of facilities that have been assessed with the new method.

Subtask C : BIPV Guidelines

Swedish participants in this subtask: Soltech Energy and White Architects

Integrating solar cells into building design, construction, and installations is a task that must combine several disciplines. It concerns the building envelope's tightness, moisture management, fire safety, maintenance of electrical installations, static requirements, etc. Several compilations of interesting and successful projects existed, including from the first phase of Task 15, but there was a lack of detailed technical guidance.

The work in this subtask has aimed to produce a book that describes the important design parameters for BIPV and goes into technical details and possible solutions for various practical challenges. It resulted in a guidebook that includes a large number of case studies and consists of six chapters:

1. Introduction
2. BIPV performance requirements
3. BIPV products
4. A decision-making process for BIPV design
5. Design of BIPV envelope & case studies
6. Operation & maintenance of BIPV systems

The book is expected to be published at the end of summer 2024, both as a physical book and as an e-book. The e-book will be available on Task 15's website.

Subtask D : Digitalization for BIPV

Swedish participants in this subtask: White Architects and RISE

Digitalization is in full swing in the construction industry and since BIPV products are primarily building products, it is important that there are tools, methods, and resources for BIPV. This subtask has worked to:

• map processes and software for digitized BIPV design;
• describe specification requirements for BIM objects (digital BIPV products) for different project phases;
• describe good examples of digitization in BIPV projects;
• collect data for profitability assessment for BIPV installations in different countries.

Subtask E : Pre-normative international research on BIPV characterisation methods

Swedish participants in this subtask: RISE

This last subtask gathered research on test methods and characterization for BIPV products and systems in several areas:

• Determination of g-values for BIPV
• Fire safety (international mapping of fire labs and regulations)
• Testing of BIPV products as building products
  • Regulations (e.g., EU CPR directive)
  • Colored solar cell modules
  • Electrical safety
  • Mechanical safety
  • Wind-driven rain test
• Modeling of electricity yield for BIPV

More about Task 15

This project was a continuation of a collaboration that has been ongoing since 2015 under the International Energy Agency's solar cell program PVPS (Photovoltaic Power Systems). It included over 100 experts from 18 countries. The project aimed to create conditions for a growing market for building-integrated solar electricity (BIPV), among other things through documentation for new standards, presentation of good examples, recommendations for industry actors, etc.