Future aspects of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in cross-system BIM planning
Solar power generation using photovoltaic systems is intended to become a main source of energy on the path to 100% renewable energy. Due to the high space and material requirements, it is a very important task to use photovoltaic elements twice, e.g. as roof, facade and shading elements.
The research project BIM4BIPV at the TUW wants to advance the simulation of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in Building Information Modeling (BIM). The goal is to research a consistent BIM planning flow for building integrated photovoltaics (Building Integrated Photovoltaic BIPV) in the interdisciplinary planning process. Open BIM BIPV elements should be used directly in architectural models and available for determining solar energy yields, calculating exposure, energy performance certificates and visual simulation.
BIM is increasingly being used in engineering and architectural planning and is a future tool for creating “digital twins” of the built environment. The photovoltaic industry and PV planning tools are hardly represented in the “BIM area”. Conversely, the industry has not yet presented photovoltaic elements and systems as BIM elements. Buildings, as well as urban open spaces, transport infrastructure such as train stations and highways, as well as agricultural land offer optimal solar area potential for integrating photovoltaics with dual benefits.
Photovoltaic elements are produced in a resource- and cost-intensive manner and require a lot of space during the use phase. In order to make the best possible use of this effort, careful planning is required. Building-integrated PV systems (BIPV) can take over functions of other building materials and elements, such as weather protection, sun protection and daylight optimization, while at the same time generating renewable electricity. In order to fully exploit this potential, it is necessary to integrate PV elements into the planning at an early stage and integrate them into BIM models. Photovoltaics has not yet arrived in the “BIM world”, although solar power generation via photovoltaics – also in urban environments – and digital planning with BIM are “the” topics of the future.
The relevance of photovoltaics in the context of the energy transition is reflected, among other things, in the solar obligation for every new public building. With the amendments to the “Green Deal”, the EU is also in the process of mandating the integration of photovoltaics in every new building from 2027. In order to make the best possible use of this potential, it is important to be able to design and simulate the areas suitable for photovoltaic systems during the planning process.
Research Objectives
The focus is on modeling in 3D and the possible mapping of the various module geometries, as well as the creation of interfaces and the availability of technical data for simulations. In collaboration with buildingSMART, the standardization of the recording of photovoltaic components as IFC models is to be promoted. With partners from photovoltaic production, lighting technology, building physics, PV simulation, standardization and research, BIM4BIPV wants to show that the implementation of the BIM methodology in PV production can help plan photovoltaic systems in a compatible way and integrate it into construction.
Methodical Approach
Using exemplary sample applications of BIPV in glass facades, roofing, solar roof and shading elements, it will be examined which interfaces, standards, tools and information are required to generate, multidisciplinary plan, visualize, simulate BIPV BIM elements to be able to produce and hand over to facility management or the material cycle. The prototypes should ultimately be tested and optimized on sample plans. In exchange with stakeholder groups – as represented in the innovation laboratory “Digital finds City”, the open BIM standardization body “buildingSMART” as well as in collaboration with Task 15 on BIPV of the Photovoltaic Power System Program of the IEA International Energy Agency, the aim is to work on a globally accepted and coordinated data format ( Data template) can be worked on for BIPV BIM elements.
Expected Results
The aim is to develop an open BIM IFC data template that enables the global input and capture of interdisciplinary usable data on BIPV elements. A roadmap is intended to show how BIPV elements can be used directly in buildings so that the architectural model can be used for interdisciplinary planning and simulation of BIPV elements.