Sun & Wind Energy 3/2010106

Conergy France installed 5,472 modules with a total capacity of 1.1 MW on 12 wooden roofs on the car park of a shopping centre in the south of France. The canopies serve to protect the customers’ cars from the sun and rain. Photo: Conergy

bipvphotovoltaics

Sun & Wind Energy 3/2010

A question of political will There is no shortage of suitable roofs and façades, but there are still few

building-integrated PV systems being installed. Higher grid input payments

and clever industry strategies could bring the turnaround.

For the neutral observer, the debates which PV manufacturers and architects fight out regu­larly at corresponding branch meetings are

actually quite amusing. Such an evident mutual lack of understanding never fails to astonish. It seems to be inexplicable to the manufacturers of solar roof tiles, roof panels and other modules intended for in­tegration, why architects and planners are not giving much greater consideration to their products in buil­ding projects. After all, they are technically mature, there is no questioning their aesthetic appeal, and they are hardly more expensive than a traditional roof or façade at the end of the day. But that is only the manufacturer side of the coin. The project design­ers, on the other hand, bemoan visually unaccept­

able PV products, the scanty information and above all a lack of cost transpa­

rency. Not to men­

tion the central point of their criticism, namely that solar architecture is more than just a matter of adding PV systems to a building. So who is respon­sible for the relatively few photovoltaic installations are to be found integrated into roofs and façades? And much more importantly, which strategies have the potential to overcome this sorry state of affairs?

A question of perspective

It would be wrong simply to brand building­integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) the tail­ender of the three photovoltaic segments (additive systems, ground­mounted systems and integrated systems). The statement is true enough with reference to the total PV capacity installed worldwide; the share of the world market held by BIPV is currently estimated to be at most 2 %. But such statistics are dominated by the countries which have installed by far the

greatest PV capacities. The Spanish market is char­acterised by its many multi­megawatt

ground­mounted installa­tions, a continuing

Sun & Wind Energy 3/2010108

consequence of the grid­input tariff which applied up to 2008. In the key German market, additive systems account for the lion’s share of the more than 8 giga­watts of PV capacity installed to date. The fact that emphasis can be placed elsewhere is demonstrated by France, currently a prime example for a flourishing BIPV market. Around 95 % of the PV systems installed here are integrated into roofs and façades. The reason : a high grid input remuneration rate for inte­grated systems, paired with a sunny climate. It must be said, however, that the on­grid PV capacity in France amounted to just 91.2 MW at the end of 2008. Some 44.5 MW had been added during the year.

High remuneration as a lure

In the same way that correspond­ing legislation on grid input remu­neration is still an imperative prerequisite for the installation of any appreciable number of PV systems in a given country in the first place, appropriately attrac­tive rates are the most effective means to push the market in the direction of BIPV.

Germany is a good example of how not to approach the issue.

When the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) was amended in 2004, it still allowed a bonus for façade­integrated systems. But at just 5 €­ct/kWh, the bonus was insufficient to compensate the signifi­cantly higher costs of an integrated installation. From the economic point of view, normal roof­mounted systems with a capacity up to 30 kW were clearly the most promising. As a result, this segment boomed. As the façade bonus was not being used, it was dis­continued in 2007.

The situation in France is quite the opposite. Fol­lowing the intention that PV systems in France should primarily be integrated into buildings, the French gov­ernment adopted such a high remuneration rate for BIPV systems that this installation form dominates the market. Up to 2009, a rate of 60.176 €­ct/kWh was paid for electricity from integrated systems in metro­politan France, compared to just 32.823 €­ct/kWh for roof­top und ground­mounted installations. The rates have been adjusted downwards for this year. Even so, the operator of a system which is fully integrated into the roof still receives the top rate of 58 €­ct/kWh.

Italy and Switzerland also grant the privilege of high remuneration rates to integrated systems. The amounts paid are graduated according to the output capacity of the system and the degree of integration. In Italy, for example, a distinction is made between non­integrated systems, partially integrated systems (systems which are not a permanent component of the building shell) and integrated systems. The three out­put classes are 1 to ≤ 3 kW, 3 to ≤ 20 kW and more than 20 kW output capacity. Even after a slight reduction this year, systems with a capacity of 1 to ≤ 3 kW still receive the highest payments of 47.0 €­ct/kWh. The lowest grid­input remuneration, namely 34.6 €­ct/kWh, is paid for ground­mounted systems with a capacity in excess of 20 kW.

The smaller difference, compared to France, be­tween the rates for integrated and other systems fos­ters the assumption that the BIPV segment will have found it corresponding difficult to gain a footing here. A glance into the statistics of Gestore Servizi Energetici confirms the suspicion. Under the amended feed­in tariff (Nuovo Conto Energia) which came into force on Feb. 19, 2007, a total of 58,947 systems with a joint capacity of 690,392 kW had been installed nation­

One example of special national legislation is the Low Carbon Buildings Programme in Great Britain. A prefab home builder and a PV manufacturer teamed up to develop this “net zero carbon home” going by the name “Lighthouse”. The house offers a living space of 93 m² and was presented to the public in 2007. Photo: Suntech-MSK Europe

bipvphotovoltaics

“We want to strengthen building-integrated photovoltaics in Austria, because it is an interesting niche with particularly high potential for the in-dustry,” says Christoph Wolfsegger, PV Programme Manager for the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund KLI.EN.Photo: Österreichischer Klima- und Energiefonds

http://www.ibc-solar.com

photovoltaics bipv

Sun & Wind Energy 3/2010110

Reference projects on public buildings attract the attention of a broader public. The semi-transparent roof modules in the City Hall in Suzuka, Japan, provide for both light and electricity. Photo: Sharp

wide by 31st January this year. Of these systems, 30 % are integrated, 62 % partially integrated and 7 % non­integrated (ground­mounted systems) – alongside Germany, a further indication that the feed­in rates for BIPV systems must lie significantly above those of­fered to additive and ground­mounted systems if the segment is to play a greater role.

Legislation helps

In addition to the feed­in tariffs, corresponding legislation could also encourage more widespread integration of PV systems into roofs and façades. Several speakers at the solar architecture con­ference “Energy Forum”, which was held in Bressa­none, Italy , in December 2009, were confident that the “Energy Performance of Buildings Directive” revised by the European Council in November 2009 would promote growth of the solar market. The EU directive specifies that, by 2020, new buildings in all EU member states must be “nearly­zero energy buildings”. The member states are to elaborate corresponding promotion schemes by mid­2011, whether that be in the form of subsidies, special loans or other incentives. In his study “Costs and Benefits of BIPV”, which Torsten Masseck from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Barcelona produced for the Energy Forum, he forecasts strong growth for BIPV in the light of the directive. Both he and other speakers identified particular chances for high­rise­buildings . As they possess insufficient roof area for adequate solar installations, the PV and solar thermal systems will here have to be integrat­ed into the façades to be able to meet the criteria.

National legislation, such as the Spanish Technical Building Code (CTE – Códigó Técnico de la Edificación ) or the Low Carbon Buildings Programme in Great Britain, also contributes to an increased installation of photovoltaics. And where more PV is installed overall, the share of integrated systems also increases.

Austria swears by prefab

Austria is now undertaking a new attempt to vitalise the BIPV market. In October last year, the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund (KLI.EN), as the responsible government organisation, presented the results of a study concerning building­integrated photovoltaics. Since then, the direction of future progress has been clear. The systems should be integrated, and that preferably in prefabricated homes.

A PV incentive scheme has been in place in Austria since 2008. The Climate Fund pays a one­off contribution to the investment for systems up to a maximum capacity of 5 kW; larger systems are pro­moted with a feed­in tariff similar to the German mod­el. The budget and the amount of the investment sub­sidy for small systems is reviewed each year. In 2009, the subsidy for roof­mounted systems up to 5 kW was 2,500 €/kW, whereas the fund paid out 3,200 €/kW for BIPV systems. The budget totalled € 21 million. “There has been a great rush on this incentive, and the budget amount was exceeded several times over,” says Christoph Wolfsegger, PV Programme Manager at the Climate and Energy Fund in Austria. The budget for this year is to be increased to € 35 mil­lion. “A significant reduction of the incentive rates is

Sun & Wind Energy 3/2010

As a consequence of the special incentive pro-gramme in Austria for prefabricat ed homes with integrated PV systems, the home-builders have now developed their first show-houses. The photo shows an eligible house from the company Vario Bau. Photo: Stefan Nagl

planned,” is all Wolfsegger is revealing on the current state of planning for the 2010 scheme.

One thing is certain for the Climate and Energy Fund, however: the payments for building­integrated PV will still be higher than for additive installations. Furthermore, a second incentive programme “Building ­Integrated Photovoltaics for Prefabricated Homes” was set up in December 2009 with a budget of € 1 million. If a private home buyer chooses a pre­fabricated house with an integrated PV system, then he receives a single subsidy of 2,600 €/kW. The peak output of the installation must not exceed 5 kW. At the same time, the house must also satisfy certain energy­efficiency criteria, for example it must comply with the “Passive House” standard in accordance with the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) or the specifications of the climate protection initiative “klima aktiv”, or else display a specific heating demand of max. 30 kWh/m²a.

In the two­part study, the authors express their expectation of promising growth chances for BIPV. Ac cording to the forecasts, the worldwide BIPV market will expand from US $1.6 billion at present to around US $8.7 billion by 2016. In Austria, the technical potential for integrated systems is quoted at approx. 140 km² of roof area and approx. 50 km² of façade area .

Benefits for local manufacturers

The incentive programme is thus seen as a development plan for the domestic building­integrated PV market, which will in turn strengthen the industry and help to create new jobs. Among those expected to benefit are Austrian manufacturers such as module specialist Kioto Photovoltaik GmbH in St. Veit/Glan, glass and solar manufacturer Ertex Solartechnik GmbH in Amstetten, or inverter supplier Fronius International GmbH in Wels. And naturally also the companies selling prefabricated homes. According to the Austrian Prefabricated Housing Association, 33 % of all homes built in Austria in 2008 were prefabricated. The total annual turnover has been estimated at around € 740 million.

Sun & Wind Energy 3/2010

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The discussions between the Climate Fund and the association lasted a year before the incentive pro­gramme was finally adopted. Austrian prefabricated home builders such as Vario Bau Fertighaus GesmbH and Wolf Systembau Gesellschaft in Scharnstein are now working to develop suitable products. Vario Bau has in the meantime introduced its first show­house.

The Climate Fund hopes to draw a number of ben­efits from the synergy effects of BIPV and prefabricat­ed homes. Everything is to be made as simple as pos­sible for the home­buyer. If he decides on a prefabri­cated house with PV system, then he no longer needs to worry about procurement, installation or the sub­sidies for the “home power station”. Furthermore, the increased sales volume, standardisation of the systems, less­expensive pre­installation and the direct substitution of conventional building materials like roof tiles will serve to bring the system prices down. According to the study, it is reasonable to reckon with a cost saving of up to 16 % compared to a retrofit installation.

It remains to be seen, how successful the pro­gramme will be, though a sudden leap in BIPV by the order of megawatts is hardly to be expected. After all, Austria is a republic of just 8.4 million inhabitants, and only around 5 % of all building projects each year are new buildings. Only a certain proportion of those in­vestors, in turn, will choose a prefabricated home with integrated PV system. Nevertheless: it is a worthwhile attempt – and the case of Japan shows that a symbio­sis of PV and prefabricated building can pay off.

Model country Japan

Japan counts a population of approx. 130 million peo­ple, and wide open spaces for the installation of large­scale PV systems are rare. Consequently, a suitable strategy had to be found when the Japanese government signed the Kyoto Protocol and formu­lated the goal of 4.8 GW installed PV capacity by 2010. At the same time, the electricity price for private customers is high – significantly higher than for industry, for example. “The Subsidy Programme for Residential PV Systems launched in 1994 aggres­

sively promoted the use of BIPV systems among the residential end users,” writes Suchitra Sriram, Industry Analyst for consul­tants Frost & Sullivan, in a review of the Asian BIPV market. To set a good example, further­more, BIPV systems were installed on the roof­tops of the Prime Minister’s residence, the Japanese parliament building and other major government buildings. Japan aims to cover nearly 50 % of its residential power load from BIPV systems in 2030.

The Japanese PV and prefabricated con­struction branches reacted quickly to the clear government policy. Large­scale com­mercialisation and cooperation lowered the prices of the systems suitable for integration and boosted sales. Industrially prefabricated houses with an integrated PV system can

Building-integrated sys-tems score over additive installations by way of their more attractive appearance. That can go as far as to mean that roof windows are offered in the same design as the PV modules. Photo: 3S Suisse Solar

Sun & Wind Energy 3/2010

here be offered at prices around 8 % higher than those of a traditionally built home.

A few examples of the protagonists and their strat­egies on the Japanese market: one of the largest com­panies selling prefabricated houses in Japan is Sekisui Chemical. The majority of those houses are offered with PV systems and heat pumps as standard. In ad­dition, special financing is available through the Sumitomo Bank. The higher the output capacity of the PV system, the lower the interest rate on the loan.

In 2001, cell and module manufacturer Sanyo acquired the home building company Kubota to market houses with roof integrated PV. Kaneka Corporation , one of the leading PV manufacturers in Japan, works closely with building designers to develop innovative roof­top BIPV systems for large office buildings. Suntech took over the Japanese solar design specialist MSK in 2006 and has since been offering BIPV products for buildings under the name “MSK Solar Design Line”.

Costs are the crux of the matter

The fact that the costs for BIPV need to be reduced to encourage the installation of more and more systems is a topic which is also discussed and emphasised regularly in Europe. At the 4th Energy Forum 2009 in Bressanone, Italy, it was the block on the costs and benefits of BIPV systems which attracted the greatest attention. Speakers such as Torsten Masseck pointed out that the plunge in the prices for modules since 2009, alongside ever greater standardisation of solar roofs and modules, is lowering the overall costs.

The organiser of the Energy Forum, Andreas Karweger , hopes that the conference held in December each year will bring together industry re­presentatives, architects and planners, and that the still substantial information deficits can be overcome. Of the 200 participants last December, approximate­ly half were architects. It took some concerted adver­tising efforts to attract them to the conference, despite the prominent role they have to play in BIPV. Karweger: “The architects are still rather sceptical.” The “Bauhaus Solar” conference, which was held in Erfurt , Germany for the second time last November, was also not exactly overrun by the architects. It thus seems inadvisable to rely on the architects and plan­ners to stimulate the market. If anyone is able to deliver corresponding impulses, then it is more like­ly to be the governments with appropriate legislation and feed­in tariffs, or the manufacturers with stand­ardised products, architect­ and customer­friendly concepts and lower prices.

Ina Röpcke

Further information:Gestore Servizi Energetici: www.gse.itVario Bau Fertighaus GesmbH: www.variobau.atWolf Systembau Gesellschaft: www.wolfhaus.at

See also separate article on the subject of cost reductions for BIPV systems by Andreas Karweger, organiser of the Energy Forum, on page 114 of this issue.