Photo 6: IEA-PVPS Task 15 experts’ Meeting in Sophia-Antipolis, France, with about 30 experts in person and more than 20 participating online. The meeting was organized by CSTB and during the second day we had the chance to organize a workshop with other local stakeholders that presented new BIPV products and projects.
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) refers to the integration of solar photovoltaic panels directly into building elements or components, such as windows, roof tiles, or façade cladding systems. This integration allows buildings to generate electricity from the sun while serving their primary function as constructions. Several studies in previous phases of Task 15 revealed the large technical and economic potential of building skins for photovoltaic energy conversion, but some further steps should be taken to speed up the implementation of this technology in our constructions. In particular, new approaches and procedures should be developed to better assess the module performance under different environmental conditions (shading, fire, high temperature, etc.) and guarantee the necessary durability of the system. New digital solutions and approaches need to be further explored to make the design process easier and enable the coordination of different aspects of the BIPV value chain involving architects, engineers, and materials scientists. In addition, new training models and collaboration opportunities are also needed.
Task 15's new workplan started in January 2024 and is set to span four years, concluding in 2027. This plan is structured into five sub-tasks, each addressing existing issues and barriers to the widespread implementation of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV).
By facilitating the exchange of research, knowledge, and experience, the project aims to bridge gaps among all BIPV stakeholders, thereby creating a supportive framework to accelerate BIPV adoption. In 2024, two meetings were organised, drawing participation from over 60 experts representing 15 different member countries.
One of the key accomplishments of 2024 was the release of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics: A Technical Guidebook. After nearly four years of dedicated work, the IEA PVPS Task 15 unveiled this comprehensive reference, specifically developed for stakeholders involved in BIPV system realisation. The guidebook addresses the lack of technical guidance and standardisation that has hindered the widespread adoption of BIPV. By consolidating industry knowledge and providing best practices, it empowers decision-makers with practical tools for successful BIPV implementation. Thanks to the support of various institutions, the guidebook is available as an open-access resource.
Another significant achievement was the completion of the Technological Innovation System (TIS) analysis for BIPV in several countries. The TIS framework provides a tool that enables a structured and objective perspective on the entire value chain of BIPV, including the interaction between its parts (networks) and its stakeholders (actors). Thus, the analysis identifies what actors participate in each country’s technological innovation system, the networks they use to interact, and the institutions that condition all of them. A comparative analysis is currently underway to highlight the challenges and opportunities in different regions.
Digitalisation is transforming the construction sector, offering benefits such as reduced delays, cost control, and enhanced collaboration. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is at the forefront of this transformation, ensuring coherence in building realisation, including BIPV integration. The new Task 15 report Digital BIM-based process for BIPV – Digital product data models explores BIM’s potential for solar buildings and addresses the need for digitalisation, standardisation, and collaboration to advance the BIM-BIPV dialogue. This report forms the basis for new activities initiated in 2024, including the development of a “BIPV information model for open BIM exchange via IFC.”
Task 15 also focuses on the challenges and opportunities of BIPV in a decarbonised and circular economy. A method for gathering information on BIPV data collection processes across countries has been established to identify the current status of BIPV. Additionally, the market potential for BIPV is being assessed through various methodologies. The role of BIPV in energy or environmental labelling is under discussion, facilitated by collaboration with TCP Cities and Annex 86. Activity A3 has seen the development of case studies, collecting data on buildings where BIPV has been implemented and observing its societal impact.
In 2024, five new activities were launched under the pre-normative international research on BIPV characterisation methods. Activity B1 focuses on ensuring the fire safety of BIPV, addressing potential fire hazards and developing safety protocols. Activity B2 examines the glare risk posed by PV installations, particularly on buildings, with a comprehensive report on international glare regulations expected in 2025. Activity B3, following the works started in the previous phase of the task, studies the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) for BIPV modules through international comparative tests, with data collection and analysis ongoing. Activity B4 is dedicated to the performance characterisation and simulation of coloured BIPV modules, with surveys and round-robin tests planned for 2025. Activity B5 investigates the shading resilience of BIPV modules, including data collection, literature review, and a GIS model study in Singapore.
Concerning the reliability of innovative BIPV systems, activities aimed at developing an information transfer tool for collecting and analysing innovative BIPV products started. Five test sites with detailed monitoring have been identified as potential candidates for determining degradation rates for coloured PV, in collaboration with Subtask B4.
Finally, the project emphasises BIPV training, dissemination, and stakeholder collaboration. The STE information collection on BIPV courses involved analysing and grouping courses by key characteristics and conducting a comparative analysis based on accessibility, content, and requisites. Experts also explored BIPV networks and key international events to map active stakeholders and initiatives, identifying skill gaps, best practices, and collaboration opportunities for expanding BIPV education and professional training.
In 2025, Task 15 will aim at progressing on the following topics:
In the BIPV market activity, BIPV data collection methodologies across countries will be screened and best practices will be defined. A workplan for the BIPV market potential assessment, including barriers and drivers, will be outlined.
The overall objective of Task 15 is to create an enabling framework to accelerate the penetration and deployment of BIPV products in the global market of renewable energies and in the construction sector, resulting in a level playing field for BIPV products, BAPV products, and conventional building envelope components, while addressing mandatory, aesthetic, reliability, and financial considerations.
The task has already gone through and successfully concluded two work phases, involving numerous countries and experts.
As BIPV is related both to electric technology and construction technology, the approach followed in this Task is based on a value added approach in which BIPV is not only related to PV (covering energy, environmental, and PR aspects) but as well to the building as a whole and to the building industry (covering aesthetics, building energy performance, and multi-functionality of the building envelope). The scope of this Task covers both new and existing buildings, different PV technologies, different applications, as well as scale difference from 1-family dwellings to large-scale BIPV application in offices and utility buildings.
STA focuses on the analysis of market, sustainability and societal impacts. The first objective of STA is to assess the current status of the BIPV market., including analysing market size, growth rates, and trends. In addition, the assessment of methodologies to calculate the BIPV market potential is in the scope if this activity. Secondly, the role of BIPV in net Zero Energy Buildings regulations and targets, and the contribution of BIPV in sustainability labels (e.g. LEED, BREAM, DGNB, SNBS, …) is assessed. Lastly, the social impact of BIPV and its measure in the society is studied in order to implement a framework to measure social impact in different regions and countries.
This subtask aims to harmonise BIPV standards by bridging gaps between PV and construction regulations. Key activities include improving fire safety acceptance, analysing shading effects on BIPV facades, and developing internationally accepted methods for assessing outdoor glare. Additionally, it explores the impact of electricity generation on SHGC in semi-transparent BIPV modules through outdoor and laboratory testing. The subtask also works on performance modelling for coloured BIPV, identifying missing parameters in existing standards.
By coordinating with international standardisation bodies such as ISO, IEC, and CENELEC, Subtask B seeks to align BIPV standards with both PV and construction requirements, ensuring a more integrated and widely accepted regulatory framework to support the market adoption of BIPV systems.
STC is aimed at progressing towards an integrated and collaborative digital process for the design, manufacturing and installation of BIPV systems, where information is defined, stored and shared between stakeholders through a digital model and an integrated platform.
Particularly, this subtask focuses on developing an IFC-standard scheme for representing BIPV products in open BIM format, ensuring relevant product information for building professionals. It also involves creating high-resolution BIM models for simulations to assess energy, economic, and environmental performance. Additionally, it aims to develop a multi-objective optimisation framework to generate optimal BIPV envelope designs.
STD will compile, evaluate and distribute data on existing, new and innovative BIPV technologies and products, give recommendations for BIPV performance and reliability testing, study BIPV-specific degradation rates, failures and failure mechanisms. The activity will have a special focus on innovative BIPV products, including coloured BIPV, investigating reliability and long-term behaviour of these products.
The STE activity focuses on BIPV education and sectorial initiatives, collecting information on available courses, mapping key international BIPV networks and events, and analysing global dynamics in knowledge creation and market uptake. The investigation includes identifying gaps and opportunities in BIPV training and cross-sectorial collaboration.
