Real life lab BIPV field testing in the Netherlands

Integration of PV in the Building Envelope (BIPV) is one of the four key developments necessary for large market PV penetration, together with PV efficiency improvement, price decrease and electricity storage [1]. In the course of BIPV development, Real-Life Lab demonstration projects are realized worldwide to contribute to this goal. In the BIPV Real Life Lab in Heerlen, three different BIPV field tests are realized and monitored, rooftop as well as façade. In the field tests different aspects related to BIPV are covered such as backstring ventilation, condensation and colouring

Long term performance measurements and PV testing in a BIPV field test with different amounts of ventilation

PV integrated in the building envelope (BIPV) is seen as one of the key tracks to accelerate PV application in the built environment. However, integration might lead to decreased output and lifespan of PV modules due to less ventilation. To investigate this effect, a BIPV rooftop field test has been realized with 24 first generation Metallization Wrap Through (MWT) modules in 4 segments. The segments have different amounts of ventilation, ranging between forced and non-ventilated, and have been monitored for 3 years. In the non-ventilated segment, higher operating temperatures, higher daily temperature amplitudes and decrease in output have been measured, which increased over the monitoring period. At the end of the monitoring period, IV curves indicate a performance decrease between 7% and 60%, while EL images shows that the modules in the non-ventilated segment have more by-pass diode and cell failures. This study indicates the risk of failures in the investigated first generation MWT modules corresponding with typical damp heat and relative humidity cycle failures and indicates the value of long term field test measurements

Really building with BIPV - putting the foundation in place for a successful Dutch BIPV sector (The ‘werkelijk bouwen aan BIPV’ project)

The main result of this project is the organisation of a strong BIPV market and supply chain, to encourage knowledge sharing, and successful business development by collaboration of (SMEs) businesses, R&D knowledge institutions and the solar- and building associations. This should result in a significant increase in the use of BIPV in building projects in Netherlands, and as a result in economic growth. The project runs from 2017 until the end of 2020, and is a follow-up to the national BIPV Roadmap issued in early 2016