Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MASS-IPV (Enabling Massive Integration of PV into Buildings and Infrastructure)
Reporting period: 2023-11-01 to 2025-04-30
The MASS-IPV project can be regarded as a partial representation of the IPV market landscape in Europe. It is composed of different types of stakeholders that face several technical and non-technical barriers, which are addressed in the project. For example, it includes a large manufacturing company specializing in façade cladding that aims to incorporate solar technology into its product catalog. It also includes a spin-off company focused on reducing the manufacturing costs of its BIPV product. A SME is working to enter a new regional market, necessitating adaptations to its BIPV product to meet regulatory requirements. Another SME is developing an adapted mounting system tailored for industrial buildings, while a planning SME seeks innovative business models to realize ambitious BIPV projects. Software developers in the project want to introduce new features in their digital tools to enhance the integration of BIPV within the construction value chain.
To tackle these challenges, the project is developing targeted strategies, methods, tools, and technologies. Ultimately, MASS-IPV aims to serve as a reference for EU companies looking to expand their presence in the field of IPV technologies and services.
In addition, we foster stronger collaborations between the PV and construction sectors. This includes creating industry networks, knowledge-sharing platforms, and training programs designed to facilitate communication and collaboration. We also focus on the standardization of BIPV through specific fire-safety testing protocols. Furthermore, we seek to establish connections between manufacturers and building designers using advanced digital tools, enhancing integration and efficiency in project development.
We are developing solutions that facilitate easy installation and maintenance of IPV systems. Our work includes anti-soiling coatings that help maintain panel efficiency, fault-detection monitoring techniques that quickly identify issues for prompt repairs, and the Click&Go mounting system designed for straightforward installation and removal of PV modules. Additionally, we are pioneering ballast-free vertical PV solutions for green roofs, which simplify the integration of solar technology into urban environments.
We are actively contributing to the digitalization of BIPV by further developing digital tools. These tools focus on design, visualization, environmental impact assessment, planning, monitoring, and fault detection, ensuring a more efficient and effective integration of PV technology into building projects.
We are enhancing the sustainability of IPV value chains in alignment with the European Green Deal. Our work includes implementing Track & Trace functionality and developing Digital Product Passports (DPPs) specifically for BIPV. Additionally, we focus on conducting Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) for BIPV products to ensure their environmental impact is minimized.
To tackle these challenges, the project is developing targeted strategies, methods, tools, and technologies. Ultimately, MASS-IPV aims to serve as a reference for EU companies looking to expand their presence in the field of IPV technologies and services.
In addition, we foster stronger collaborations between the PV and construction sectors. This includes creating industry networks, knowledge-sharing platforms, and training programs designed to facilitate communication and collaboration. We also focus on the standardization of BIPV through specific fire-safety testing protocols. Furthermore, we seek to establish connections between manufacturers and building designers using advanced digital tools, enhancing integration and efficiency in project development.
We are developing solutions that facilitate easy installation and maintenance of IPV systems. Our work includes anti-soiling coatings that help maintain panel efficiency, fault-detection monitoring techniques that quickly identify issues for prompt repairs, and the Click&Go mounting system designed for straightforward installation and removal of PV modules. Additionally, we are pioneering ballast-free vertical PV solutions for green roofs, which simplify the integration of solar technology into urban environments.
We are actively contributing to the digitalization of BIPV by further developing digital tools. These tools focus on design, visualization, environmental impact assessment, planning, monitoring, and fault detection, ensuring a more efficient and effective integration of PV technology into building projects.
We are enhancing the sustainability of IPV value chains in alignment with the European Green Deal. Our work includes implementing Track & Trace functionality and developing Digital Product Passports (DPPs) specifically for BIPV. Additionally, we focus on conducting Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) for BIPV products to ensure their environmental impact is minimized.
In WP2, we enhance the adoption of BIPV by addressing critical non-technical barriers, including financial, liability, and regulatory challenges. By providing strategic guidance and analyzing viable business models that align with other envelope technologies such as fenestration and green roofs, the project maximizes spatial, economic, and environmental benefits. Aesthetic evaluations and circular design methods further promote BIPV acceptance and sustainability.
The project illustrates how innovative financing and public-private partnerships can unlock additional value, such as increased property value and improved Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Case studies demonstrate that aesthetics, collaboration, and integrated building design are vital for success, emphasizing the need for coordinated action among policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders.
A parametric simulation workflow has been introduced to balance PV performance with daylighting and heat transfer, enabling designers to optimize surface use for both energy efficiency and comfort. Additionally, simulations of the physical interactions between PV and green roofs support informed design decisions. A Grasshopper plugin allow realistic visualization of BIPV systems, fostering improved stakeholder engagement.
Furthermore, the Madaster platform has been enhanced with a track-and-trace tool, digital product passport, and circularity tools specifically designed for BIPV, all of which align with upcoming EU regulations and are currently being validated in collaboration with SUPSI.
In WP3, we develop technological solutions that facilitate the integration of PV into buildings and infrastructure. We are enhancing the functionality of existing products and technologies. Although the cost of PV modules has decreased, installation and maintenance remain expensive due to the complexity of the installation process and the need for professional expertise. To make PV installations more attractive, partners are upgrading these technologies with new functionalities. For example, CID is developing easy-maintenance solutions, such as anti-soiling coatings for PV modules, which reduce maintenance costs. TPS is enhancing the Click&Go mounting system for faster installation and removal of modules.
We also address the production costs of BIPV technologies. While IPV modules offer numerous benefits, their cost is a significant barrier to widespread adoption. OES has developed a cost-effective solution for installing PV on green roofs without the need for ballasts. Additionally, IWIN is focused on reducing technology costs in the manufacturing process, which typically requires substantial capital investment in machinery and incurs high labor and energy expenses.
Additionally, we develop PV modules that are suitable for integration into noise barriers, creating aesthetically appealing structures that blend with their surroundings and reduce the need for additional land for solar panels.
In WP4, we enhance the deployment of IPV through advanced digital tools that streamline projects from design to operation and maintenance. To maximize the impact of these developments, several key achievements have been made during the first reporting period.
Firstly, methods have been created to ensure compatibility with widely used building design and information modeling tools. The automatic and optimized interconnection of PV modules, developed in task 4.1 has been implemented as a plug-in for the Rhino-Grasshopper building design tool. In task 4.2 the BIPV.world platform functions as a plug-in for the BIM tool Autodesk-Revit and integrates with Microsoft Business Central, while BIMSOLAR® has enhanced its interoperability with open urban data sources.
Additionally, to engage diverse sectors, the Home Energy Management System (HEMS) developed in task 4.3 addresses the challenge of forecasting residential building consumption by reducing time resolution and creating a scoring system that promotes a conservative scheduling approach in unpredictable scenarios.
Finally, the interface of the BIPV digital twin, developed in task 4.4 is being improved to provide maintenance guidance for end users without expert knowledge of PV technologies. ENERBIM and TECNALIA are currently in discussions with a Spanish monitoring platform developer to establish a partnership for the joint deployment of this innovation.
The project illustrates how innovative financing and public-private partnerships can unlock additional value, such as increased property value and improved Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Case studies demonstrate that aesthetics, collaboration, and integrated building design are vital for success, emphasizing the need for coordinated action among policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders.
A parametric simulation workflow has been introduced to balance PV performance with daylighting and heat transfer, enabling designers to optimize surface use for both energy efficiency and comfort. Additionally, simulations of the physical interactions between PV and green roofs support informed design decisions. A Grasshopper plugin allow realistic visualization of BIPV systems, fostering improved stakeholder engagement.
Furthermore, the Madaster platform has been enhanced with a track-and-trace tool, digital product passport, and circularity tools specifically designed for BIPV, all of which align with upcoming EU regulations and are currently being validated in collaboration with SUPSI.
In WP3, we develop technological solutions that facilitate the integration of PV into buildings and infrastructure. We are enhancing the functionality of existing products and technologies. Although the cost of PV modules has decreased, installation and maintenance remain expensive due to the complexity of the installation process and the need for professional expertise. To make PV installations more attractive, partners are upgrading these technologies with new functionalities. For example, CID is developing easy-maintenance solutions, such as anti-soiling coatings for PV modules, which reduce maintenance costs. TPS is enhancing the Click&Go mounting system for faster installation and removal of modules.
We also address the production costs of BIPV technologies. While IPV modules offer numerous benefits, their cost is a significant barrier to widespread adoption. OES has developed a cost-effective solution for installing PV on green roofs without the need for ballasts. Additionally, IWIN is focused on reducing technology costs in the manufacturing process, which typically requires substantial capital investment in machinery and incurs high labor and energy expenses.
Additionally, we develop PV modules that are suitable for integration into noise barriers, creating aesthetically appealing structures that blend with their surroundings and reduce the need for additional land for solar panels.
In WP4, we enhance the deployment of IPV through advanced digital tools that streamline projects from design to operation and maintenance. To maximize the impact of these developments, several key achievements have been made during the first reporting period.
Firstly, methods have been created to ensure compatibility with widely used building design and information modeling tools. The automatic and optimized interconnection of PV modules, developed in task 4.1 has been implemented as a plug-in for the Rhino-Grasshopper building design tool. In task 4.2 the BIPV.world platform functions as a plug-in for the BIM tool Autodesk-Revit and integrates with Microsoft Business Central, while BIMSOLAR® has enhanced its interoperability with open urban data sources.
Additionally, to engage diverse sectors, the Home Energy Management System (HEMS) developed in task 4.3 addresses the challenge of forecasting residential building consumption by reducing time resolution and creating a scoring system that promotes a conservative scheduling approach in unpredictable scenarios.
Finally, the interface of the BIPV digital twin, developed in task 4.4 is being improved to provide maintenance guidance for end users without expert knowledge of PV technologies. ENERBIM and TECNALIA are currently in discussions with a Spanish monitoring platform developer to establish a partnership for the joint deployment of this innovation.