Cost efficient BIPV products for nearly zero energy buildings

To achieve ground-breaking impact on BIPV cost reduction, the H2020 project concept is tackling holistically the following three cornerstone steps impacting BIPV market penetration: 1. Novel solutions for BIPV products design: Cost reduction on the BIPV module level can be achieved by i) innovations transferring to PV module building related functions such as mechanical rigidity and structural integrity, primary weather impact protection or insulation and this way gaining savings by eliminating part of construction materials costs. ii). Innovations on PV module level meeting building standards in cost efficient way. 2. Transfer to automated large scale production: Today use of digital platforms (such as BIM) during building construction process is the most efficient way for cost reduction, hence the project is proposing an approach for integration of the PV manufacturing process into the BIM-based building construction process. In parallel, flexibility of PV lines involved will be addressed to ensure possibility to adapt in cost efficient way to the building designer’s needs. 3. Solutions for building efficient integration: For this step, the project is proposing twofold innovations: i) Plug&Play PV system integration into energy system simplifying installation process and ii) Innovations for power electronics for efficient integration with building energy management system. The project is focusing on module level power electronics (MLPE) and is ensuring significantly higher power output on the system level by ability to ensure performance monitoring and data collection on string level and long term stability of operation independently of geographical and operation conditions. Functionalities of MLPE are also extended to the building level functionalities ensuring safety and other functions.