Increase Project Meeting in Switzerland: Collaboration, Innovation & Policy Dialogue

The Increase consortium recently gathered in Switzerland for its 18-month Project Meeting, followed by a joint workshop with SPHINX and the "La Solaire dans le Bâtiment" conference. These events brought together project partners, industry experts, and policymakers to discuss progress, exchange knowledge, and explore solutions for advancing Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) across Europe.

Project Meeting in Neuchâtel: Reviewing Progress & Demonstrating Innovation

The first day of the meeting focused on assessing the progress of the Increase project. Discussions covered BIPV advancements, demonstration strategies, and ongoing technical developments, including updates on fire-retardant encapsulation, anti-glare coatings, and lightweight solar modules. A highlight of the session was the demonstration of a portable colorimeter, designed to improve the aesthetic integration of BIPV. Partners also addressed challenges in demo site implementation, alignment of activities across work packages, and strategies to enhance market uptake as the project moves forward.

Joint Workshop with SPHINX: Overcoming Barriers Together

On the second day, we joined forces with our sister project SPHINX for a collaborative workshop, where we explored critical themes:

• Engaging demo sites effectively through co-creation strategies (by Merit Tatar, IBS)

• Addressing technical limitations in demonstration sites vs. real-world industry projects (by John Morello, Freesuns)

• Policy barriers and enablers for IPV in Europe, identifying shared challenges and solutions (moderated by Claire Morin, SolarPower Europe)

These discussions reinforced the importance of cross-project collaboration in overcoming obstacles and accelerating innovation in solar integration.

 

Conference in Villars: "La Solaire dans le Bâtiment"

Our time in Switzerland culminated in the “La Solaire dans le Bâtiment” conference, where consortium members and external experts gathered for an engaging exchange on the future of solar energy in architecture. The conference featured insightful presentations on the latest solar technology advancements, real-world case studies, and policy perspectives shaping the industry.

The event closed with an informal networking session over an apéritif, fostering new collaborations and deepening our shared commitment to a sustainable future.

 

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, these discussions will guide our next steps in ensuring that solar integration becomes a standard feature of sustainable buildings and infrastructure across Europe.

A big thank you Antonin Faes and Beatriz Tur (CSEM) for hosting such impactful events!