Characterisation of Photovoltaic Modules for Building Integration
Abstract
In the research project MULTIELEMENT, Fraunhofer IWES together with 15 partners from industry and economy, is conducting studies to develop production, testing and implementation methods of multi- functional photovoltaic (PV) building elements in building services engineering. The objective of the project is to evaluate the technical and economic potential for PV building elements and to reduce the cost by systematically including multi-functionality. For this purpose, the physical properties are described; guidelines and respectively standards have to be worked out with respect to material and quality aspects. At the same time, testing equipments and testing procedures have to be developed. A major task of this project is to cooperatively develop test requirements in order to characterize electrical, mechanical and constructional properties of PV building elements. The integration of multiple functions of a PV element in buildings is often made difficult due to a lack of specifications, component descriptions and testing certificates as well as existing information deficiencies. This is mainly due to the fact that at least three different sectors are involved in the realization of building integrated PV (BIPV) projects: construction engineering, electrical engineering and building legislation. Each sector brings along its own requirements, which are not harmonized in any case. That means, an optimized product from the electrical point of view may not match the requirements which result from the building legislation. For example, due to the maximization of the energy yield a certain glass type, thickness and construction is selected for a BIPV module, however the used components and constructions are possibly not listed in the building rules list. Thus, the application of BIPV products in the building is only possible, if a product specific certification is issued. On the other hand, the realization of constructional and legislative requirements in a PV building element may lead to curtailments in the electrical performance. To overcome this gap again three measures need to be taken: exchange of information, adaptation of constructional and legal requirements as well as further development of technical rules and regulations.