Evaluation of performance at experimental buildings and real demonstration sites in BFIRST project: Theoretical and practical aspects for BIPV monitoring system

Monitoring is one of the main activity of BFIRST, Building-integrated FIbre-Reinforced Solar Technology, project, a 5 years funded European project, project reference number 29601, that started in April 2102 and deals with the design, development and demonstration of a portfolio of innovative photovoltaic products for building integration, based on cell encapsulation within fibre-reinforced composite materials. Automatic data acquisition systems are generally required for monitoring, performance evaluation and exchanging data of PV systems. Standard IEC 61724:1998 “Photovoltaic system performance monitoring –Guidelines for measurement, data exchange and analysis” provides a guideline that shall be followed in these cases. As far as Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) are considered, besides electrical parameters there is in addition the need to monitor the specific building performances. That is because a BIPV module operates as a multi-functional building construction material; it generates energy and serves as part of the building envelope. Since the building related performances are not included in the aforementioned IEC standard, a general guideline for monitoring was prepared within the project that has been used within the project at two levels: one at experimental sites mainly related to experimental single module testing and the other at demosite with real PV size plants

Energy investigation on households with BIPV modules under net metering scheme

In recent years many Renewable Energy Sources (RES) power plants have been connected to power networks throughout Europe, in order to meet the EU’s objectives for sustainable energy supply. As far as low-voltage distribution networks are concerned, the grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems constitute the most important representative of RES, because these can be easily installed even in densely built-up areas where space problems are inevitable. In this context, small residential PV systems utilising BIPV modules are going to gain ground mainly at newly built or rebuilt building structures. That is because a BIPV module operates as a multi-functional building construction material; it generates energy and serves as part of the building envelope. This paper highlights the energy benefits of residential buildings in Southern Europe with BIPV modules under Net Metering Scheme. The energy benefits are reflected in monthly basis

Self-consumption of electricity produced with photovoltaic systems in apartment buildings - Update of the situation in various IEA PVPS countries

Over the last two decades, grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems have increased from a niche market to one of the leading power generation capacity additions annually. In 2019 the total worldwide installed photovoltaic electricity generation capacity exceeded 630 GW. It is forecasted that 1 TW will be reached by 2022. This further development is coupled with the question at what prices solar photovoltaic electricity can be provided and delivered to the customers. The installation of PV systems for self-consumption is already now an interesting option for many people but in general limited to those who have access to a rooftop they own or can use. Enabling residents of multi apartment buildings to commonly use electricity generated by a PV system (collective self-consumption) is a relatively new development and is still facing a lot of administrative and regulatory challenges. This paper provides an overview of existing regulatory schemes in IEA PVPS countries and presents and analysis of two self-consumption case studies.</p