15Enabling Framework for the Development of BIPV

Task Managers

The objective of Task 15 is to create an enabling framework to accelerate the penetration of BIPV products in the global market of renewables, resulting in an equal playing field for BIPV products, BAPV products and regular building envelope components, respecting mandatory issues, aesthetic issues, reliability and financial issues.

Expertise

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.

The first phase of Task 15 was running from 2016 to 2019 with the following subtasks

1Subtask A : BIPV project database

The aim of the database is to help future clients and construction professionals to develop successful BIPV projects and to run the whole process by developing an interactive database. It will help to make their process much easier as the experience of earlier projects can be used. Besides the direct input from participants, existing databases will be used to identify suitable projects and showcases. The database will consist of both ‘regular’ PV products in a BIPV application and specific developed BIPV products.

2Subtask B : Transition towards sound BIPV business models

This subTask aims at the identification, benchmarking and development of the unique selling points and business models of BIPV products in different regions/countries, to assist decision makers in the development of successful BIPV projects. Policy incentives and regulations affect opportunities for business model designs and market up scaling, will be considered as well. Starting from an analysis of the status quo, new business models will be designed and tested in the field. Two kinds of business models will be developed: 1. The one that is part of a new product, service, innovation i.e. it is an integral part of the whole development process from the beginning. 2. The one that considers new opportunities created by e.g. political incentives, regulations etc. and thus can open up new markets for already existing products and solutions.

3Subtask C : International framework of BIPV specifications

This subTask relates to the implementing issues of BIPV with regard to requirements, specifications and regulations. The subTask aims at bridging international differences in implementing issues, creating a worldwide equal playing field for BIPV development and application.

Scope: BIPV needs & functions analysis, BIPV requirements, specifications and regulations overview, Multifunctional BIPV evaluation, Suggest topics for exchange between different standardization activities on international level.

4Subtask D : Environmental benefits of BIPV

In this subTask the environmental benefits of BIPV are investigated, resulting in a methodology for the environmental assessment of BIPV products, comparable with the environmental assessment of regular building envelope components, bridging the gap between PV LCA and building material assessment.

5Subtask E : Demonstration

In this subTask a comparison of the demonstration of different technologies and different applications worldwide will contribute to the realization of BIPV demonstration projects in Real Life test facilities, bridging the gap between prototyping and large-scale application.

6Subtask F : Dissemination

This subTask aims at optimally disseminating the findings of the preceding subTasks to the different target audiences (building sector, clients, BIPV product developers, education, etc) by using the most adequate tools for communication. These tools consist of a book, an interactive web guide, YouTube movies, MOOCS (Massive Open Online Courses), etc.

The currently running, second phase of Task 15 started at the beginning of 2020 and runs until 2023 with the following subtasks:

1Subtask A : Technological Innovation System (TIS) analysis for BIPV

Subtask A will lift the perspective from individual business models that were evaluated in phase 1 to an overall business plan for the BIPV field based on the innovation research methodology TIS.

2Subtask B : Cross-sectional analysis: learning from existing BIPV installations

In Subtask B we are working towards a well-defined multifunctional evaluation of BIPV. A multi-dimensional evaluation matrix considering energetic, economic, ecological and aesthetic aspects is developed. This methodology will be applied to selected BIPV plants and allow a structured determination, analysis and assessement of the multifunctional performance of BIPV systems.

3Subtask C : BIPV guidelines

The scope of Subtask C is to support the implementation of best BIPV practices and drive the decision-making process that could lead to an effective BIPV design as well as a resilient and robust BIPV installation while maintaining good architecture. The objective of this subtask is to consolidate existing BIPV knowledge and compile it into a technical guidebook for building professionals (architects, engineers and consultants).

4Subtask D : Digitalization for BIPV

Subtask D will facilitate the application of BIPV over the whole value chain and improve its reliability with the potential of digitalization. It will (a) compare the BIPV real performance with the simulated performance; (b) identify operative approaches, methods and workflows relevant under each domain of BIPV digitalised design and management, (c) collect requirements for digital product data models from the perspective of different stakeholders; (d) define the main information modeling/management (IM) strategies to effectively implement a digital process to improve interoperability along the value chain and pre-normative recommendations and standards; and (e) explore the decision making process with data mining.

5Subtask E : Pre-normative international research on BIPV characterisation methods

The goal of Subtask E is to carry out pre-normative international research to develop new and optimised characterisation methods for BIPV modules and systems, based on the topics identified during the first phase of IEA-PVPS Task 15 and by analysis of national building codes that are relevant to BIPV installations. Both experimental and model-based approaches will be pursued. The goal is to cover a set of characteristics uniting all requirements on BIPV worldwide, to facilitate local/national building component approval.

The third phase of Task 15, to extend the activities for another 3 years, is currently in planning...

Task 15 Reports