17 TH EUROPEAN PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR CONFERENCE Munich, 24 October, 2001 1/4 TASK 7 OF THE IEA PV POWER SYSTEMS PROGRAM – ACHIEVEMENTS AND OUTLOOK T. Schoen 1 , D. Prasad 2 , D. Ruoss 3 , P. Eiffert 4 , H. Sørensen 5 1: Ecofys energy and environment, P.O. Box 8408, 3503 RK Utrecht, the Netherlands; e-mail T.Schoen@ecofys.nl 2: National Solar Architecture Research Unit, Australia 3: ENECOLO, Switzerland 4: ImaginIt, Golden, USA 5: Esbensen Consulting Engineers, Denmark ABSTRACT Since January 1, 1997, Task 7 is active within IEA's PV Power Systems Program. Objective of Task 7 is to enhance the architectural quality, the technical quality and the economic viability of PV systems in the built environment and to assess and remove non-technical barriers for their introduction as an energy-significant option. Task 7 is an international collaborative programme, linking PV developments of Europe, the US, Japan and Australia to each other. The work in Task 7 concentrates on assisting the long-term development of building integrated PV, as well as on contributing to the short term marketing opportunities. The Task will be completed end of 2001. This paper presents information about the various achievements of the Task, as well as an outlook towards future international collaboration in the field of PV in the Built Environment. Keywords: Building integration– 1; R&D Policies– 2; Implementation– 3 1. INTRODUCTION The value of building integration for the introduction of grid connected PV is recognised world-wide. Programs, aiming at large-scale application of solar photovoltaic systems as integrated power producing elements of buildings are carried out in Japan, Germany, the US, Australia and in many other regions of the world. Such programmes generally are based on the expectation that, within 10 to 20 years, PV will be able to become an important renewable energy source, even though PV now is still more expensive than traditional power sources. Programmes are also based on the concept that integrating PV into the built environment offers advantages when compared to large, centralised, solar power plants. Building integrated PV (BIPV) offers clean, silent and virtually maintenance free power on site. Solar modules can displace building materials. Grid interconnections can be made on- site, limiting additional wiring and infrastructure costs. BIPV does not only offer perspectives for the long term, however. PV systems are installed today by building owners who appreciate the added value of solar roofs and facades, and who are willing to pay a premium for PV. Based on the understanding of the need for international collaboration in the field of PV in the built environment towards long-term cost effectiveness as well as towards the development of concepts for the challenging and rapidly increasing market of today, the IEA PV Programme initiated a Task on this subject: Task 7. IEA PVPS Task 7 gathers PV industry, architects and other specialists from a large number of countries, including those with the most ambitious and prominent PV roof plans: the US, Japan, Europe, Australia and Canada. Experts work together in a research and knowledge exchange programme aiming at enhancing building integrated PV. Task 7 started its work in January 1997, building on previous collaborative actions within the IEA (Task 16 of the Solar Heating and Cooling Program) and will complete its work end 2001. Task 7 works along three lines: architecture, technology and non-technical issues. 2. TASK 7 OBJECTIVES The objective of Task 7 is to enhance the architectural quality, the technical quality and the economic viability of PV systems in the built environment. The objective is also to assess and remove non-technical barriers for their introduction as an energy-significant option. It is expected that successful integration of PV systems into the built environment will contribute significantly to the future spread of PV. For this, active involvement of urban planners, architects and building engineers is required. Task 7 motivates the collaboration between these groups and PV specialists, utility specialists, PV and building industry and other professionals involved in PV. Task 7 considers all grid connected systems other than classified as "ground based arrays". Primary focus of the Task is on the integration of PV into the architectural design of roofs and facades of residential, commercial and industrial buildings and other structures in the built environment (such as noise barriers, parking areas and railway canopies). 3. TASK 7 ACHIEVEMENTS 3.1 Architecture Architects are increasingly interested in BIPV. In order to assist newcomers, Task 7 has collected and evaluated fig 1 Fire Station Houten, the Netherlands – PV integrated into the overall sustainability concept of the building