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Breaking Down Barriers: Integrating solar into buildings and infrastructures


Date and time: 24th April 2024, 13:30-18:00 Location: Thon Hotel EU, Rue de la Loi 75, Brussels, Belgium – In-person only

Registered participants: 52

 


OPENING REMARKS AND INTRODUCTION TO THE INCREASE PROJECT


Lucija Rakocevic (Th!nk E) presented the Increase project, its scope, objectives and time. She introduced the partners and demonstration sites and how Increase can help the uptake of IPV in Europe, through developing cross-sector system-level integrations in its solutions, building up on existing standards, LCA data and enabling framework, creating platform for collaboration of various stakeholders and focusing equally on local and EU communication and engagement.

 


PANEL DISCUSSION

 

Panellists:

·       Sébastien Val, Akuo

·       Fabienne Zwagemakers, Insurance Europe

·       Christian de Nacquard, Bouygues Construction

·       Sara Giovannini, Energy Cities

·       Jean-Didier Steenackers, Sunsoak Design

 

Key takeaways from the discussions:


•      Standards and certifications: It became evident that the existing certification frameworks fall short in accommodating BIPV, leading to cost overruns and project delays, particularly for medium-scale ones. Harmonisation of BIPV certifications is necessary to support the uptake of BIPV.


•      Fire safety and construction processes: The reclassification of BIPV products emerged as a promising solution to unlock several existing barriers, positioning BIPV as a material component with electrical properties rather than an electricity generating device.


•      Stakeholders capacity: Key actors such as insurers and local authorities lack the expertise to integrate BIPV into their operational frameworks. Dedicated track records, including metrics and indicators would contribute to increase their expertise.

 


WORKSHOPS

 

FIRE SAFETY, TECHNICAL SYSTEMS AND INSTALLATION

 

The group discussed power conversion fire safety, highlighting the lack of certification for power converters posing fire hazards, impacting insurance and safety due to issues like cabling size and voltage grid compatibility. Façade cables pose challenges related to ventilation, heat management, and maintenance access. Comparisons between central room and micro inverters highlight reliability and accessibility advantages for micro inverters over a longer period. Limiting voltage is suggested to mitigate fire risks.

 

The discussions then focused on the certification of BIPV products, highlighting the need to harmonise certificates within one country (between certifiers organisations, fire brigade) and also in Europe, the need to lobby certification organisations and address building classification issues, especially for BIPV integrated into laminated glass. The group also acknowledged that new innovations in BIPV are difficult to certify. While certification is not a major issues for projects above 3000 sqm, for small and medium size projects the process is burdensome and expensive and hinder the development of such projects. Furthermore, certification processes also impact insurance schemes, the group highlighted the need to show track record to integrate BIPV into insurance companies’ processes.

 


COST OF INSTALLATION, BUSINESS MODELS, INSURANCE

 

The group discussed renovations. Renovating a building involves costs, and adding PV systems incurs additional expenses. Injecting excess electricity into the grid yields minimal revenue, so optimizing storage is crucial for a profitable business model. In the distinction between PV and BIPV, the market may currently favour standard PV panels due to simplicity and timing. However, missing the renovation wave could lead to missed opportunities for BIPV.

 

In social housing, retrofitting with BIPV faces budget constraints, highlighting the need for cost-effective solutions integrated into initial designs. Simplifying BIPV implementation and decision-making processes can drive uptake, provided mechanisms are in place to manage additional costs effectively. Differentiating BIPV from conventional PV and aligning with construction material costs rather than solely comparing with PV can aid in cost coverage.

 

Navigating the business model's driving gap with extra costs requires targeted incentives, especially in complex sectors like heritage. Public authorities can lead by example in construction, but demonstrating the technical value of BIPV remains crucial, particularly to municipalities and authorities. Overcoming financial barriers, including insurance and certification costs, is pivotal for bank loan accessibility, especially for mid-sized projects.

 


PERMITTING, VISUAL INTEGRATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION

 

The group discussion highlighted the complexity developing renewable energy projects in Europe due to the unique characteristics of each Member State regarding permitting, visual, and environmental integration. Bureaucracy stood out as a significant barrier, often resulting in lengthy approval processes of up to five years, rendering technologies obsolete. Addressing this issue requires enhanced coordination among European, national, and regional entities, necessitating more inclusive discussions involving decision-makers and permit issuers to streamline procedures.

 

The group noted that the initiative to identify and leverage Renewables Acceleration Areas (RAAs) marks a positive step forward, aiming to intensify their identification to aid in achieving national energy targets for 2030-2050. There was a divergence in perspectives within the group on prioritising BIPV, with some advocating for mid-scale buildings and others for high-impact structures like hospitals and schools. However, there was a consensus on the need for BIPV buildings not only to fulfil their own energy requirements but also to contribute to surrounding areas, fostering self-sufficient "island" neighbourhoods.

 

Lobbying efforts should push for mandatory IPV/BIPV integration in new constructions and shift focus to district-wide implementation, possibly facilitated by standardizing facade components. Further strategies include promoting citizens-led renovation (CLR) and energy communities (ECs) to incentivise adoption, alongside initiatives like one-stop renovation shops. Notably, the ORFEE project was highlighted as a model for best practices in this regard.

 

TECHNICAL WORKSHOP ON KPIS FOR THE INCREASE PROJECT

 

ENERGY

  • Availability of energy during the day and during winter.

  • Self sufficiency ratio.

 

ECONOMY

  • Hours estimates for O&M.

 

ENVIRONMENT

  • Waste and recyclability with quality requirements. Quantity recyclable according to current techniques.

  • Design for disassembly.

 

COMFORT

  • For residential use: comfort to use AC with solar energy (HVAC)




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Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe, Innovation Actions programme under grant agreement No 101136112. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.​

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