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Bolt-on solar panels are more affordable than ever, but the goal of incorporating such energy-generating surfaces into buildings, known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), is still fraught with challenges.
These products not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings, but also promise improved performance compared to traditional PV panels.
Yet despite the clear demand driven by the push for decarbonisation by 2050, and demand from architects for more freedom in their designs, BIPV technology has so far struggled to find its footing.
And while several obstacles are at play – including fragmented standards and low automation capacity on existing production lines – the biggest hurdle has undoubtedly been the high cost of production.
As Eduardo Román, coordinator of the BIPVBOOST project on behalf of Tecnalia, remarks: “BIPV products are still significantly more expensive than the equivalent standard PV modules that can be placed on a rooftop.”
To overcome this obstacle, Román and other members of the project consortium embarked on a mission to make BIPV solutions more accessible. The consortium, a blend of industry and academic experts, was designed to ensure a comprehensive approach to cost-cutting innovations, while showcasing the technology’s potential in real buildings.
A glimpse into the future
The consortium addressed four key challenges: the need for advanced manufacturing; demands for cost-competitive BIPV solutions; logistical constraints for manufacturers; and a lack of standardisation in BIPV systems.
To support advanced manufacturing, BIPVBOOST developed a flexible and automated BIPV module manufacturing line, providing significant cost reductions along the process.
To meet a demand for low-cost BIPV solutions, the project developed innovations such as transparent, digital-printed PV glass that can be used as a curtain wall or floor tile and Click-&-Go substructure for easily creating solar facades.
Digitalisation along the supply chain, including augmented reality systems for designing PV installations, and a fault detection and diagnostic tool for BIPV hardware, is helping to improve logistics.
Finally, indoor and outdoor performance-based laboratory testing procedures for BIPV products helped bridge gaps in the standardisation of BIPV systems. The project’s efforts here help adoption of BIPV in the construction industry, signalling a shift towards more integrated and sustainable architectural practices.
Over the project’s 5-year lifetime, significant strides were made towards making BIPV a competitive option, particularly for rooftops. “For this application, BIPV is now an attractive investment in the tertiary and even residential sector,” Román notes, pointing to the success in making sustainable building practices more viable.
Sustaining momentum and looking ahead
The BIPVBOOST project has not stopped with the achievement of its initial goals either. Continuous monitoring and demonstration of the project’s results in real buildings underscore a commitment to long-term sustainability and energy efficiency. “Most project results have been and are still being demonstrated in real buildings,” Román says, emphasising the ongoing impact of their work.
With the project completed in May 2023, the question of steps to ensure broader adoption looms. This involves not just technological innovation, but a cultural shift within the construction industry, requiring upskilling and a deeper understanding of BIPV’s potential.
Román reflects on the challenge ahead: “PV and construction worlds clearly differ strongly and do not always see eye to eye when it comes to defining optimal solutions,” underscoring the need for continued education and collaboration to realise the full potential of BIPV in building a sustainable future.