Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are changing facades into active energy creators, offering a compelling route towards sustainable architecture. As BIPV use increases, understanding the regulatory situation is crucial for successful project completion. This report outlines current BIPV regulations and anticipates future trends affecting the market by 2025 and after.
Current Rules: A Collection of Standards
Presently, BIPV installations face a complex collection of rules that differ considerably across regions. This stems from the unique position of BIPV products, needing to comply with both building regulations (fire safety, water tightness, wind resistance) and PV standards (performance, safety).
Main Regulatory Challenges
- Varied Standards: Different national and regional building regulations create an obstacle for manufacturers needing market-specific approvals. The efforts of the International Energy Agency (IEA) through its PVPS program Task 15, specifically Subtask C focusing on rule harmonization, are vital in addressing this. Sharing good practices and setting up common principles are important to make this process smoother.
- Fire Safety Differences: Varying fire safety rules present a significant challenge. Manufacturers must adjust products to meet specific regional needs, hindering cost-effectiveness. The drive for unified fire safety rules is crucially important for consistent safety and market growth.
- Double Approval Burden: BIPV products often need separate approvals for building parts and PV systems, creating a complex and potentially costly process. This “double agreement” can prevent market entry. The shift towards performance-based rules promises a simpler way.
- Grid Connection Changes: Rules governing grid connection and net metering change significantly, impacting how BIPV systems work with the electricity grid and the financial benefits for building owners.
- Incentive-Driven Markets: Financial motivators like tax reductions, refunds, and feed-in tariffs play a critical role in driving BIPV adoption. The availability and structure of these motivators significantly affect market activity.
Predicting Regulations Changes: The Situation in 2025
The regulatory setting for BIPV is changing, with several important changes expected by 2025:
- Performance-Based Checking: A move towards judging the overall performance and safety of BIPV systems, rather than strict following of fixed guidelines, is expected. This change will support invention in BIPV design and technology.
- Standardization Actions: Ongoing actions aim to create international standards for BIPV systems. This joining of standards will simplify market access for manufacturers, lower expenses, and encourage global rule agreement.
- Smart Grid Addition Requirements: As smart grids become more common, rules might need BIPV systems to add monitoring and communication abilities, improving energy flow and grid stability.
- Sustainability as a Driver: Increased focus on sustainable building methods will likely result in stricter rules requiring the addition of renewable energy technologies, including BIPV, in new building projects. Strengthened Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and motivators supporting solar setups are predicted.
- Changing Motivator Programs: Governments are expected to improve current motivator programs and introduce new policies to further encourage BIPV use, speeding up the switch to clean energy. Industry leaders showing BIPV addition in their own buildings, as shown by GoodWe’s headquarters, further push this trend.
Effect of Changing Regulations on the BIPV Market
These regulatory changes will significantly affect the BIPV market:
- Faster Market Growth: Simpler approval processes, standardized checking, and appealing motivator programs will lower barriers to entry and encourage wider BIPV use. The German Renewable Energy Sources Act’s feed-in tariffs serve as a successful example.
- Invention Booster: Performance-based rules will support invention by allowing manufacturers to consider new materials, designs, and technologies that meet performance measures without being limited by rigid guidelines.
- Expense Decrease: Standardization and rule joining will lead to manufacturing efficiencies and reduced checking/approval expenses, making BIPV more economically practical.
- Improved Confidence: Clear and consistent rules will build greater confidence in BIPV technology among architects, planners, and building owners, driving increased demand.
- Regional Market Activity: Policy plans like the European Green Deal are expected to fuel significant BIPV market growth in Europe due to strict environmental requirements.
Putting BIPV into Architectural Visions: A Range of Solutions
BIPV offers varied technical solutions for smooth architectural addition:
| BIPV System Type | Description | Architectural Uses |
| Standard In-Roof Systems | Photovoltaic cell strips added into roofing. | Sloped and flat roofs. |
| Semi-See-Through Systems | Lets some light pass through. | Skylights, facades, open areas. |
| Solar Shingles & Tiles | PV elements copying traditional roofing materials. | Residential roofs. |
| Solar Facades & Cladding | PV added into building outer layers. | Commercial building facades. |
| Solar Windows & Skylights | See-through PV elements for windows. | Residential and commercial buildings. |
| PV Canopies & Balconies | PV modules creating structural parts. | Parking structures, walkways, balcony railings. |
The adaptability of BIPV allows architects to move past traditional rooftop solar, adding energy creation directly into the building’s outer layer. Inventions like phase change materials (PCM) are further improving BIPV performance by improving heat control.
Stakeholder Views
Effective BIPV rule creation needs working together among various stakeholders:
- Manufacturers: Prioritize clear, consistent standards for product safety, performance, and approval.
- Trade Groups: Argue for policies supporting market growth and invention.
- Utilities: Focus on grid connection policies ensuring safe and reliable addition of spread generation.
- Architects & Engineers: Seek rules offering design flexibility and encouraging new BIPV uses.
- Local Governments: Emphasize safety and agreement within building regulations while promoting sustainable building.
- Academia & Research: Help to create checking standards and share good practices.
- Building Owners: Value cost-effectiveness, performance, and visual addition of BIPV.
Open talking and working together are crucial to handle difficulties and create proper rules that support a thriving BIPV market.
Good Practices for Smooth BIPV Addition in Facades
- Early Addition in Design: Think about BIPV from the beginning design stage for best visual and energy performance.
- System Choice Based on Building Shape: Match BIPV technology to the building’s shape and direction. Rooftop systems suit bigger roof areas, while facade-added solutions are good for taller buildings.
- Improve Direction and Reduce Shade: Maximize solar energy capture through smart placing.
- Do Full Electrical Load Study: Accurately size the BIPV system to meet the building’s energy needs.
- Prioritize Cost-Effectiveness: Use lifecycle cost study to judge long-term economic benefits.
