"BIPV is the integration of solar panels directly on architectural elements, such as windows, façades, roofs and other surfaces"
Building Integrated Photovoltaics: advances in the use of BIPV push for the updating of applicable regulations
Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) has undergone significant growth in recent years, leading authorities to review and update applicable regulations to promote its adoption and harness the potential of this technology for clean and sustainable energy generation.
BIPV is the integration of solar panels directly on architectural elements, such as windows, façades, roofs and other surfaces, enabling buildings to generate electricity from sunlight efficiently and in anaesthetically pleasant way. This technology has gained popularity worldwide due to its ability to transform conventional buildings into renewable energy generators and reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources.
Photovoltaic technology in buildings
There is an increasing presence of photovoltaic technology in buildings and more and more products and systems with integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). It is therefore necessary to have an applicable standard for photovoltaic technologies and building elements.
- The European EN 50583-1 and EN 50583-2 standards for building-integrated photovoltaic modules and/or systems were published in 2016. Both are under review as they have shortcomings, mainly due to the difficulty of uniting requirements.
- On the other hand, it is necessary to have regulations that cover the requirements from the point of view of both the active element and the constructive element. There are standards that have attempted to address this need, such as ISO/TS 18178:2018 Glass in building - Laminated solar photovoltaic glass for use in buildings, specific to laminated glass.
- However, there is no answer for most of the products, and even more so when it comes to building systems with integrated photovoltaics as there is a lack of guidelines for their evaluation.
Evaluation of building products or systems with integrated photovoltaics
Once there is an overview of the state of the applicable regulations, it is interesting to know how the market is approaching the evaluation of building products or systems with integrated photovoltaics.
Our colleague, Susana Santamaría, Head of our Optics Laboratory ,will be giving a talk on integrated photovoltaic technology (BIPV) in buildings: challenges in characterisation and compliance with requirements in Madrid on 23rd November, as part of the International Congress on Windows, Façades and Solar Protection promoted by the Asefavebusiness association.
This congress was set up to become a major forum for debate, promotion and development of the enclosure sector in Spain: windows, light façades, ventilated façades, solar protection systems and their components.
