DACD / ISAAC / ICEF 2023 - BIPVThe opportunity of BIPV for next generation
Photovoltaics
Opportunities to achieve Carbon Neutral City
Prof. Dr. Francesco Frontini
Task 15 co-Manager
Head of Building System sector
SUPSI-ISAAC

4 ottobre 2023

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DACD / ISAAC / ICEF 2023 - BIPVSUPSI-ISAAC >20 years of Photovoltaic and BIPV
•Located in Mendrisio (Ticino) in Switzerland, with about 55 employees organized into four main Area:
1) Building System, 2) PV-Lab, 3) Energy system, 4) Energy-sustainability and territory•1982: First grid connected PV system in Europe (TISO)•

2004-today: Swiss BIPV Competence center: applied-oriented multidisciplinary team, several EU founded projects•Collaboration with industries, architects and building owners for market transfer (TRL4 to TRL8)•From 2010 we run the www.bipv.ch and www.solarchitecture.ch platforms to promote the construction of solar buildings

1982

1997

2008

2012

2020

www.bipvboost.eu

2022

DACD / ISAAC / ICEF 2023 - BIPVSUPSI-ISAAC >20 years of Photovoltaic and BIPV
•Located in Mendrisio (Ticino) in Switzerland, with about 55 employees organized into four main Area:
1) Building System, 2) PV-Lab, 3) Energy system, 4) Energy-sustainability and territory•1982: First grid connected PV system in Europe (TISO)•2004-today: Swiss BIPV Competence center: applied-oriented multidisciplinary team, several EU founded projects•Collaboration with industries, architects and building owners for market transfer (TRL4 to TRL8)•From 2010 we run the www.bipv.ch and www.solarchitecture.ch platforms to promote the construction of solar buildings

Demonstration and appliedresearch

Test & Qualification

New Technology

Sensitization andcommunication

PVLabwww.solarchitecture.ch

DACD / ISAAC / ICEF 2023 - BIPV

4Definition of BIPVIEC 63092-1:2020 or EN 50583 & IEA PVPS T15:
• Photovoltaic modules are considered to be buildingintegrated, if the PV modules form a construction productproviding a function as defined in the European
Construction Product Regulation.
• Thus, the BIPV module is a prerequisite for the integrity ofthe building’s functionality. If the integrated PV module isdismounted (in the case of structurally bonded modules,dismounting includes the adjacent construction product),the PV module would have to be replaced by anappropriate construction product.
04/10/2023

Source: ConstructPV, photo SUPSIDACD / ISAAC / ICEF 2023 - BIPVThe BIPV market peaked about 10 years ago
Historical annual BIPV market in Europe

 BIPV grew significantly from 2008 to 2011.
 This can be explained by generous
support schemes for BIPHV.
Very difficult to have real market number:
In Switzerland: façade potential up to 17 TWh,
1/4 of Swiss electricity production +50TWh for roof

Source: Becquerel Institute

DACD / ISAAC / ICEF 2023 - BIPV

6VARIEGATED (NEW) MARKET DEMANDS AND DESIGN COMPLEXITY«MY PV ROOF»«AVARAGE» BUILDINGSRETROFIT
04/10/2023«VALUABLE» BUILDINGSNZEB or PEB

NEW
Scognamiglio A., Frontini F, “BIPV”. GETTING THE TECHNOLOGYAND INTEGRATION BALANCE RIGHT, 32nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference |EUPVSECDACD / ISAAC / ICEF 2023 - BIPV

714

High Variety of products: Mass Products vs High Value

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 In the segment of residential buildings, cold roofs

23635

are the most common BIPV installations as alsobalustrades.

 In the segment of commercial buildings, façade
BIPV systems, “external” or integrated devices aremuch more common, as well as BIPV skylights.

 In larger cities, where the rooftop area is a small
fraction there is a major resource of solar energy
falling on the facades  high value solution

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4

Green dots are for high value solutions
1 Cold roof
2 Ventilated façade
3 External integrated devices (louvers, balustrades,…)
4 Skylight or Windows
5 Prefabricated system
6 Curtain wall

04/10/2023

7 Floors

Categorization of BIPV applications
https://iea-pvps.org/key-topics/categorization-of-bipv-applications/

DACD / ISAAC / ICEF 2023 - BIPV

8Multi-story market segmentation by regions and potential revenues* for glazing facades

Source: SUPSI, number extrapolated by several market anaylsis
and interviews with industry players
04/10/2023*average price 450€/sqm

DACD / ISAAC / ICEF 2023 - BIPV

9Price range of building products/systems (no PV)
050

100

150200

250

300

350

400

450

500

0100

200

300

400500€/m2600

700

800

900

1’000

Conventional Roof

Conventional Facade

04/10/2023

Elaborated from: BIPV Status report available at:https://solarchitecture.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/BIPV_Status_Report.pdf

DACD / ISAAC / ICEF 2023 - BIPV

10Challenges and opportunities for new BIPV implementation• Articulation of the building

geometry and shapes + shadow resilience• Urban area (density)

shadow resilience• Vegetation in urban environment

shadows resilience + environment protection• Building material compatibility

bendability, weight, colour, adhesion• Durability & reparability/maintenance15-40 years depending on application, circularity• Cost-effectivenessdepends on application & market© SUPSI
04/10/2023© SUPSI© asia.nikkei.com© SUPSI© SUPSIDACD / ISAAC / ICEF 2023 - BIPV

(1) implementing a large degree of flexibility and automation in themanufacturing of BIPV
(2) developing a range of multifunctional and cost-competitive solutions
for building skins- Aesthetics, dimensions, static vs dynamic solution(3) defining a qualification (measurement) process that simplifies thestandardization framework(4) Digital process (BIM-based) to enhance the collaboration throughout thevalue chain
04/10/2023

People……process……productConcludions: how to win this game?

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Technology

ProcessPeopleDACD / ISAAC / Workshop
ICEF 2023GE- BIPV

https://solarchitecture.ch/wpcontent/uploads/2021/02/BIPV_Status_Report.pdf

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
francesco.frontini@supsi.ch

04/10/2023

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