Overall objective

It is expected that successful integration of PV systems into the built environment (BIPV) will contribute significantly to the future spread of PV. For this active involvement of urban planners, architects and building engineers is required. Task 7 motivates the collaboration between these groups and PV system specialists, utility specialists, PV and building industry and other professionals involved in photovoltaics.

Task 7 considers all grid-connected systems other than classified as "ground based arrays." Primary focus of this Task is on the integration of PV into the architectural design of roofs and facades of residential, commercial and industrial buildings and other structures in the built environment (such as noise barriers, parking areas and railway canopies), and on other market factors, both technical and non-technical, that need to be addressed and resolved before wide spread adoption of PV in the built environment will occur.
Task 7 officially started on January 1, 1997 and lasted to the end of 2001. The finalization of the Task 7 products will take place in the first half of 2002.

In order to achieve the overall objectives, participants carry out work in four Subtasks:

• Subtask 7.1: Architectural Design of Photovoltaic Power Systems in the Built Environment
  Participants work on the improvement of the architectural design of PV systems as an integral element in buildings and other structures in the built environment. For this purpose existing PV projects are documented. In addition, case studies are followed and evaluated by the Task Participants. Many of these case studies are realised as demonstration projects.
  A selection of outstanding examples (both from existing projects as well as from the case studies) will be published as a book. As a sideline, design tools for architects are developed.

• Subtask 7.2: Systems Technologies for Photovoltaic Power Systems in the Built Environment
  Participants work on the development of new concepts for photovoltaic power systems in the built environment that can enhance the electrical performance or the performance of the PV system as a building component. New concepts, developed by the Participants shall enhance market opportunities for the industry. This Subtask aims for a number of standardised and certified PV elements for integration in buildings and other structures in the built environment.
  The subtask will also provide a number of options to effectively utilise the PV electricity and to connect PV systems safely and reliably to the electricity grid, as far as this topic is not addressed by Task 5 of the PVPS Implementing Agreement.

• Subtask 7.3: Non-technical Barriers in the Introduction of Photovoltaic Power Systems in the Built Environment
  Participants assess the non-technical barriers to be removed to make PV in the built environment an energy-significant power supply option. The purpose of this Subtask is to identify the barriers on one side and the (technical, economic, market) potential of PV in the built environment on the other. The main result of this Subtask will be an executive IEA report on strategies for barrier removal and the utilization of the PV potential.

• Subtask 7.4: Demonstration and Dissemination of Photovoltaic Power Systems in the Built Environment
  The results of the other Subtasks are brought to the market by dissemination of collected information and the demonstration of new concepts. Demonstration of mounting and system concepts takes place through the EPFL Demosite. Results are disseminated by the use of different media (ranging from papers, books, and brochures to new media such as a CD-ROM or a website).
  Dissemination will also occur through the second and third International Solar Electric Buildings Conferences and national workshops in conjunction with the semi-annual meetings of the Task. Furthermore, the possibility of a training and education program is assessed.

Accomplishments for 2001

• Subtask 7.1: Architectural Design of Photovoltaic Power Systems in the Built Environment
  • Documentation of High Quality Projects
    The Task 7 BIPV Projects Database of 400 BIPV projects are now up and running. It is accessible via http://www.pvdatabase.com via the Task 7 website and is open to the public.
  • Case Studies
    Updating the progress of these case studies will remain crucial for the success of this activity. Collaboration and fine tuning with Task 23 of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (working on the same issue) is in process.

• Subtask 7.2: Systems Technologies for Photovoltaic Power Systems in the Built Environment
  • Building Integration Concepts
    A workshop on building integration concepts for PV products was held in May 2001, in conjunction to the Sustain 2001 Trade Fair in Amsterdam. Over 50 experts attended, of which approximately half from the Netherlands, the other half from other countries.
  • PV Building Product Database
    As part of www.pvdatabase.com a module of PV products was added, comprising about 100 BIPV products and its manufacturers and application features.
  • Non-Building Structures
    The ExCo approved report was disseminated with 220 copies for free distribution.

• Subtask 7.3: Non-technical Barriers in the Introduction of Photovoltaic Power Systems in the Built Environment
  An Executive Summary Report, “Institutional Issues,” was prepared.

• Subtask 7.4: Demonstration and Dissemination of Photovoltaic Power Systems in the Built Environment
  
  • Demosite
    The IEA PVPS Task 7 demosite maintained its position as the demonstration centre for PV building integration products. Systems demonstrated at the Demosite are accessible via www.demosite.ch.
  • Conference
    The attempts to organize the 3rd International Solar Electric Building Conference in The Netherlands failed. However, the outline of the ‘would be’ conference may well be used as a possible ‘kick-off’ conference of a possible Task 10. The conference was meant to focus on:
    1. PV in the green buildings; addressing green building issues and a target audience of building experts, building industries, architects, local governmental organisations, etc. vs.
    2. PV in green energy concepts; addressing utility programmes & financing issues and a target audience governmental policy markets, associated experts, utilities etc.
  • Training and Education
    Work is in progress to establish accredited training courses on BIPV before the end of 2001. A standard programme for such courses and minimum attainment levels will be completed in 2002. A CD-ROM is in preparation.

Activities planned for 2002

• Subtask 7.1: Architectural Design of Photovoltaic Power Systems in the Built Environment
  • Book of Examples
    A high quality book (250 pages) will be presented in the beginning of 2002: “Building with Solar Power.” The book will focus on PV and architecture, and contain examples and reference information for architects. The book will also include CD-ROMS of PV Systems and of the training and education package.
  • Case Studies
    Publication of the case study report is foreseen in early 2002. The Italian Environmental Ministry has expressed their interest in publishing in Italian version of the IEA case study report.

• Subtask 7.2: Systems Technologies for Photovoltaic Power Systems in the Built Environment
  Reports in Preparation of Subtask 2
  • Non-building structures: a report on integration of PV in non-building structures in the built environment is going to be integrated in the book “Building with Solar Power.”
  • PV/T: a report on technologies and systems for PV/T (PV and thermal systems).
  • Electrical concepts: are going to be part of the book.
  • Reliability: a report on reliability of PV systems.
  • Interconnection issues: a report will be published.
  • Electric designs issues: a report will be published, together with the case study report.

• Subtask 7.3: Non-technical Barriers in the Introduction of Photovoltaic Power Systems in the Built Environment
  Finalization and dissemination of the ESR “Institutional Issues.”

• Subtask 7.4: Demonstration and dissemination of photovoltaic power systems in the built environment
  
  • Completion of the Training and Education Package.
  • Organization of an event at the PV for Europe conference in Rome, 7-11 October 2002. This event is projected instead of the 3rd Solar Electric Buildings Conference that was foreseen for July 3-4, in Amsterdam.
  • New format for the task 7 website by a division in architectural, technical and non-technical issues

Key deliverables (2001 and planned)

Key deliverables foreseen for 2002 are:

• Internet: database of BIPV products
• Book: Building with Solar Power (BIPV architectural book)
• Report: PV/T, technologies and systems for PV/T
• Report: new and innovative electric concepts for BIPV systems (part of the book)
• Report: Reliability, a survey on the reliability of PV systems
• Report: Electric Design Issues; guidelines for the electric design of BIPV systems (part of the book)
• Report: the BIPV potential in IEA member countries (part of the book)
• Executive Summary Report: Institutional Issues
• Package: an IEA training course for PV designers

Participating countries, key participants in 2001 and their organizations

Meeting schedule (2001 and planned 2002)

• 9th Expert Meeting, 8-9 March 2001, Freiburg, Germany
• 10th Expert Meeting, incl. Joint Expert Meeting with Task 2, 17-21 September 2001, Tokyo, Japan
• Final Conference, Autumn 2002, Rome, Italy