SolKit - A toolkit for sustainable photovoltaics integration in the Norwegian built environment

In the global quest for sustainable energy solutions, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) emerges as a promising option, enabling renewable energy generation while replacing traditional building materials. Unlike traditional PV panels, typically mounted on rooftops or façades, BIPV systems are seamlessly integrated into the building's architecture. This integration enables BIPV to serve simultaneously as clean energy generators and as integral components of the building envelope, such as roofs or façades. Despite offering many advantages, BIPV has yet to make a breakthrough in the Norwegian market and remains a niche solution. This slow uptake may be due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of how BIPV can be effectively integrated into Norwegian buildings, especially considering the country's demanding climate. Through the SolKit project, efforts are underway to develop a toolkit to facilitate the assessment and implementation of BIPV in the Norwegian built environment. This toolkit will include analysis tools and guidelines to help various stakeholders make informed decisions when evaluating BIPV. The project will also improve the technical understanding of how BIPV performs in the Norwegian climate, focusing on energy performance, durability, and lifespan. In addition, the project aims to define best practices for integrating BIPV into the building envelope, ensuring that buildings remain robust and function well in terms of heat and moisture transport. An important part of the work will also investigate how BIPV can be integrated into entire neighbourhoods, exploring the potential for large-scale deployment and energy resilience. Finally, the project will assess the environmental and economic benefits of BIPV to provide a basis for informed decision-making in building and urban planning. The assessments will be crucial for evaluating the scope of BIPV investments for individuals and larger projects in the public and private sectors.

SolKit is an interdisciplinary research project aimed at integrating Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) into the Norwegian built environment. Its primary objective is facilitating the widespread adoption of BIPV technologies tailored to Norway's unique climatic conditions. To achieve the goals, the project will develop a comprehensive toolkit, including a user-friendly assessment tool and guidelines to assist stakeholders in analyzing and making decisions about BIPV implementation. The toolkit provides insights at different levels — individual components, entire buildings, and neighbourhoods — addressing crucial technical aspects such as service life, power performance, and ventilation cavity configuration while tackling practical integration challenges. Additionally, SolKit aids in assessing energy generation, life cycle CO2 emissions, costs, and neighbourhood energy resilience. Solkit is structured into five main work packages: component analysis, building integration modelling, neighbourhood-scale deployment, sustainability assessments, and tool development. The project employs a diverse methodological approach, including laboratory investigations, numerical modelling, inventive concept exploration, and real-world validation through pilot projects. The project faces several critical R&D challenges, including adapting BIPV technologies to Norway's specific climatic conditions, optimizing system integration for efficiency and performance, and effectively assessing the environmental and economic impacts of BIPV systems. By addressing these challenges, SolKit aims to enhance energy resilience and sustainability within the Norwegian built environment while promoting the adoption of innovative solar energy solutions. Through collaboration with industry partners, the project seeks to create a comprehensive resource that facilitates the transition to more sustainable energy practices.