STATUS REPORT OF TASK 7 OF THE IEA PV POWER SYSTEMS PROGRAM 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; tel. (+31) 30 2808300; fax (+31) 30 2808301; e-mail T.Schoen@ecofys.nl 2: National Solar Architecture Research Unit, Australia 3: ENECOLO, Switzerland 4: NREL, 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. During the first three years of the Task, the work has resulted in a number of deliverables. Most noteworthy are the PV Project Database, a BIPV product overview and the Task 7 Product Design Competition. This paper presents information about the various deliverables, as well as an outlook to new projects which are planned by Task 7 for the next two years. 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 around the world. Rooftop programs, aiming at large-scale application in the next century are carried out in many countries. It is generally expected that within 10 to 20 years, PV will be able to contribute substantially to the renewable energy production, even though PV now is still more expensive than traditional power sources. Building integrated PV 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. Innovations in building integrated PV therefore aim at long-term cost effectiveness, as well as on providing the products and services for the challenging and rapidly increasing market of today. It is exactly here were we need outstanding designs, intelligent products and new marketing initiatives. And it is exactly here where Task 7 focuses its work on. Task 7 gathers PV industry, architects and other specialists from a large number of countries, including those with the most ambitious and prominent solar roof plans: the US, Japan, Europe, Australia, Canada and Korea. 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 axes: architecture, technology and non-technical issues. Architecture Market enhancement requires acceptance of PV by builders, architects and users. The physical characteristics of PV products for integration in buildings must meet architectural requirements (colour, size, materials). The challenge for the PV R&D community together with architects and builders is to develop and demonstrate high- quality integration concepts that meet the industry’s objectives as well as the architectural needs for buildings. The technology of building integrated PV Technologies nowadays available for the integration of PV into buildings are, in general, too expensive for large scale introduction. Cost reductions can be achieved by carefully redesigning the PV support structure, but also by optimising the technical and electrical integration of the PV system into the built environment. The assessment and removal of non-technical barriers A number of non-technical barriers exist that impede the implementation of PV in buildings. Assessment and removal of these barriers will result in enhancement of both the near-term and the long-term PV market. 2. BUILDING INTEGRATION In buildings, photovoltaics can be installed on a wide range of surfaces and be integrated into materials such as glazings, rooftiles or facade elements, opening up the possibility of combining energy production with other functions of the building envelope, such as rain protection, sun shading and heat generation. Cost savings achieved through these combined functions can be substantial, for example in using photovoltaics instead of expensive fig. 1 Integrating PV into existing dwellings (picture courtesy R.Schropp; project Bear Architects)