Work Package 2: Technical integration of photovoltaics in buildings.

The following European standard for building integrated photovoltaics was published in English and French on 18 Jan, 2016: EN 50583 "Photovoltaics in Buildings" (Part 1: BIPV modules, Part 2: BIPV systems). The standard Part 1 is available in Norway as NEK EN 50583-1:2016.

In EN 50583:2016-Part 1, BIPV modules are considered to be building-integrated if the PV modules form a construction product providing a function as defined in the Construction Product Regulation CPR 305/2011. Thus, the BIPV module is a prerequisite for the integrity of the building’s functionality. If the integrated PV module is dismounted (in the case of structurally bonded modules, dismounting includes the adjacent construction product), the PV module would have to be replaced by an appropriate construction part. Mounting categories for modules that contain glass are specified as shown in the figure below, used to differentiate between additional requirements for the modules.

Figure: Mounting categories as defined in the EN 50583 standard.

The European BIPV standardization work is based on existing standards in the construction sector and photovoltaic sector (see pvsites):

• Glass standards (insulated glazing units EN 1279 series, laminated glass EN 14449/EN 12543 series, curved class ISO 11485 series).
• Curtain wall standards (EN 13830) and Ventilated facades (ETAG 034).
• Fire classification - external fire exposure to roofs (EN 13501-5) and test methods (EN 1187).
• Roof coverings - classification, requirements and test method (EN 14963).
• Prefabricated accessories for roofing - product specification and test methods (EN 1873).
• Transversal standards (EN 13501-1, EN 410, EN 673, EN ISO 6946, EN 12600).
• Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - design qualification and type approval (EN 61215).
• Thin-film terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - design qualification and type approval (EN 61646).
• Laminated solar PV glass (ISO 18178).
• PV module safety qualification (EN 61730-1 and EN 61730-2).
• Design qualification and type approval of CPV modules and assemblies (EN 62108).

EN documents are developed as regional standards, intended for use in the European Union. ISO documents, released by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), are international standards with world-wide application. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) work to propose international standards for all electrically based technology, and the Norwegian IEC member is Norsk Elektroteknisk Komite (NEK). The development and synchronization of common standards applicable to all countries is also one of the activities in the IEA PVPS Task 15 collaboration. Requirements for BIPV products and systems may include:

• Mechanical resistance and stability
• Safety in case of fire
• Hygiene, health and the environment
• Safety in use
• Protection against noise
• Energy economy and heat retention
• Electrical properties
• Durability, reliability, water tightness, air tightness
• Seismic resistance
• Other (e.g. for bifacial or curved modules)

WP2 activities:

WT 2.1: Development of robust components and solutions.
The work of this activity includes:

• Solar cell material properties and requirements.
• Building envelope properties and requirements.
• Robust BIPV (robustness concept, functions, properties, requirements, climate exposure, service life).
• BIPV components and solutions (existing ones and developing new ones).

WT 2.2: Accelerated aging and durability testing in Nordic climate exposure.
This activity have the same focus areas as WT 2.1, and will include accelerated ageing tests for:

• Durability
• Functions
• Properties
• Requirements
• Climate exposure
• Service life

WT 2.3: Testing and investigating the link between aesthetic quality and PV efficiency.
Based on the results from earlier work by Klaudia Farkas (PhD 2013, NTNU) and IEA SHC Task 41, both national and international cases will be evaluated. This will provide valuable input and contributions to the other work packages.

WT 2.4: Environmental assessment and carbon footprint evaluations.
The following analysis will be performed:

• LCA for Norwegian conditions: Norwegian energy, CO2 payback for PV plants, Norwegian production, Norwegian solar irradiance and temperature conditions, etc., based on existing LCA studies (international).
• Climate gains achieved with building integration: Based on case studies, comparing BIPV and BAPV, various fastening systems, building physical aspects.
• LCA for BIPV Norway products: Analyses of products/solutions developed within project as to contribute to a lower carbon footprint of these (collaboration with other work packages).

WP2 results:

Results from WP2 activities include:

B.P. Jelle, T. Gao and S. Ng, "Development and Investigation of New Materials and Technologies for Utilization in Zero Emission Buildings". TechConnect World Innovation Conference, 13-16 May 2018, s. 195-198 (ISBN 978-0-9988782-3-2).

B.P. Jelle, "Building Integrated Photovoltaics: A Review of Materials Science Challenges and Opportunities". 12th Conference on Advanced Building Skins, 2-3 Oct 2017. In: Advanced Building Skins Proceedings ABS 2017, s. 1360-1369. Proceedings website.

A. Fedorova, B.P. Jelle, "Building Integration of Photovoltaics at Nordic Climate Conditions". 12th Conference on Advanced Building Skins; 2-3 Oct 2017. In: Advanced Building Skins Proceedings ABS 2017, s. 1216-1225. Proceedings website.

A. Fedorova, B.P. Jelle, E. Andenæs, A.G. Imenes, O. Aunrønning, C. Schlemminger and S. Geving, "Large-Scale Laboratory Investigation of Building Integrated Photovoltaics - A Review of Methods and Opportunities", 1st International Conference on Building Integrated Renewable Energy Systems (BIRES 2017), Dublin, Ireland, 6-9 Mar 2017.

B.P. Jelle, P.-O. Andersson, A. Fedorova, T. Gao, S. Ng, J. Selj, S.E. Foss, E.S. Marstein and T. Kolås, "A Review of Materials Science Research Pathways for Building Integrated Photovoltaics", 1st International Conference on Building Integrated Renewable Energy Systems (BIRES 2017), Dublin, Ireland, 6-9 March, 2017.

B.P. Jelle, "Building Integrated Photovoltaics: A Concise Description of the Current State of the Art and Possible Research Pathways". Energies 9 (1), Suppl. Article no. 21 (2016). Article.

B.P. Jelle, S. Ng, T. Gao, S. Alex Mofid, T. Kolås, "A Review of Materials Science Research Pathways and Opportunities for Building Integrated Photovoltaics". Journal of Energy Challenges and Mechanics 2016, 3 (2), pp. 83-92.

B.P. Jelle, S. Ng, T. Gao, S. Alex Mofid, T. Kolås, "A Review of Materials Science Research Pathways and Opportunities for Building Integrated Photovoltaics". In: 5th International Symposium on Energy Challenges and Mechanics - Working on Small Scales (ISECM5-2016), 10-14 July 2016.

B.P. Jelle, S. Ng, S. Alex Mofid, T. Gao, "A Review of Research Pathways and Opportunities for Building Integrated Photovoltaics from a Materials Science Perspective". In: TechConnect Briefs 2016, ISBN 978-0-9975-1175-8, pp. 251-254.

”Robuste, norske solenergiløsninger" ("Robust, Norwegian solar energy solutions"). Fremtidens Byggenæring online, publisert 17.okt 2016, av Eirik Iveland. Article (Norwegian).

”Nytt fra SINTEF Byggforsk – Ny storskala apparatur for vindlast og regn- og vindtetthet” (”News from SINTEF Building and Infrastructure – New Large-Scale Apparatus for Wind Load and Rain and Wind Tightness”), Byggeindustrien, no. 16, s. 36, 2015, av B. P. Jelle, E. Bergheim, K. Noreng, S. Uvsløkk, E. Rognvik and D. H. Sæther. Article (Norwegian).

Erlend Andenæs, "Wind-Driven Rain Exposure and Assessment of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems", Master thesis, B. P. Jelle (supervisor), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, June 2016. Master thesis.

"Intelligente bygninger kan løse klimautfordringer" ("Intelligent buildings can solve climate challenges"). Aftenposten Viten, 22.apr.2015, av Petra Rüther og Bjørn Petter Jelle. Article (Norwegian).

"Framtidens solceller blir byggevare" ("Future solar cells become building products"). GEMINI.no, 12.mar 2015, av Christina Benjaminsen. Article (Norwegian).

”Nytt fra SINTEF Byggforsk – Bygningsintegrerte solceller for Norge” (”News from SINTEF Building and Infrastructure – Building Integrated Photovoltaics for Norway”), Byggeindustrien, no. 4, s. 40, 2015, av B. P. Jelle, T. Kolås, I. Andresen, R. Dahl Schlanbusch, A. G. Imenes, J. Selj, S. E. Foss og E. Stensrud Marstein. Article (Norwegian).

T. Linjord, R.J. O’Born, A.G. Imenes, "Life cycle analysis of building integrated photovoltaic roof tile for use in Norwegian conditions". In: Proceedings of 8th Nordic Passive House Conference, 27-29 Sep 2017, Helsinki, Finland (ISSN 0356-9403).

Torjus Linjord, "Life cycle analysis of photovoltaic roof tile", Master thesis, A.G. Imenes (co-supervisor), University of Agder (UiA), Grimstad, May 2016. Abstract.

T.F. Kristjansdottir, C.S. Good, M.R. Inman, R.D. Schlanbusch, I. Andresen, Embodied greenhouse gas emissions from PV systems in Norwegian residential Zero Emission Pilot Buildings, Solar Energy 133 (2016), pp. 155-171. Article.

Photos: The embodied GHG emissions of three Norwegian residential ZEB pilot buildings have been analysed by Kristjansdottir et al..

WP2 contact person:

Bjørn Petter Jelle, bjorn.petter.jelle(at)sintef.no, NTNU/SINTEF