Studies & Publications


Building Integrated PV - Publications

Photovoltaics (PV) convert light into electricity directly, without emissions and when it is needed. The system can be used decentralized. This means it can be deployed in close proximity to the user avoiding energy looses by long transportation. PV that is integrated into the fabric of a building has become very popular in Europe. Known as Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) they can be used on both new and existing buildings. Their use in the building envelope is very varied and opens many opportunities for creative designers. Many architects have already integrated PV successfully in their buildings.

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PV DIFFUSION IN THE BUILDING SECTOR

The scope of this paper is to present the work carried out by the European project SUNRISE which aims at strengthening the interaction between architects, construction companies and PV module manufactures. The fruitful cooperation between the PV community and the key stakeholders just mentioned will lead to a larger deployment of PV systems in building and therefore to a substantially cost reduction. The paper covers the following issues:

  • identification of barriers to overcome for enhancing the diffusion of PV products in the building and construction sector
  • overview of the multiple applications of PV in buildings
  • collaboration between building and construction sector and PV module manufactures in developing new ways of cooperation and creating better channels for a proper communication and dissemination
  • standardisation and regulations for PV products in building environments

This project is co-financed by the European Commission, FP6-2005-TREN-4, SUNRISE project.

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Barriers in the PV serctors

This report focuses on the identification of the barriers that prevent or discourage the integration of PV in the building sector. At the beginning of the study, a draft document describing Legal & Administrative Barriers, Market Barriers, Technical Barriers and Perception Barriers has been developed by WIP and AIE. The document has been circulated among the Sunrise partners in order to identify other possible barriers. FIEC contacted different representatives of the CEBC (European Consortium of Building Control) in order to obtain the experience in various European countries in using BIPV and in particular potential barriers and dis-incentives likely to arise as a consequence of town and country planning consents as well as technical regulations applicable to installers of BIPV. The barriers identified during this survey carried out by FIEC were in line with those mentioned in the draft document. All the Sunrise partners provided feedback on the draft document. Based on the information gathered during the fe dback assessment, the barriers have been set out in the chapters 3

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Toolbox for Architects

"PV electricity estimation based on the modules area"
Transferring PV terminology to the Architects Community (from m2 to kWh)

This work focuses on the need from the PV community to adapt their products and terminologies to the building sector, and concretely to architects. Instead of talking about the installed PV capacity in the first place the predicted annual energy generation in kWh should be communicated as the main figure. The value of kWh is widely spread, which is not the case for the unit kWp outside the PV industry. This transition is not easy and straight forward, since the value of kWh/year raises expectations from the user. A standard procedure for this transition needs to be defined that also has to consider various solar cell technologies (crystalline, thin film etc.).

This aim of this report is to present how the transfer from m² to kWh can be done in an easy way. Furthermore, a EXCEL TOOLBOX accompany this document which will serve as an indicator of how much electricity can be produce by building integrated PV system in different locations within Europe just based on the total module area and not in the nominal power of the PV system.

An excel tool has been developed in order to facilitate the estimation of "how much electricity is generated by a PV system?" without having an expertise on PV system technology.  The tool is not meant to be used for real calculations because it is based on average irradiance data and the characteristics link to each type of technology used is based on average efficiencies. Professional simulation tools can be easily found in the market for PV system designs and energy output calculations. 

The toolbox aims at raising the interest and understanding of people who are not directly involved in the PV sector. The tool provides information for a number of European locations and for three different types of system designs. 
What makes this tool exceptional is that the electricity output is calculated based on the area of the modules (m²) and not in the installed capacity. The tool also allows comparing average household electricity consumption with the estimated electricity generated. It even allows to the user to introduce real electricity consumption based on the electricity appliances used so that the comparison can reflect the needs of the user. 

To donwload the Toolbox and the guidelines for its use, please click on the picture