Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Stakeholder Engagement & Actors' Role

Make It Green

BIPV – Stakeholder Engagement and Actors' Role

Series: Make It Green BIPV-01
Article: 01/24


Introduction

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) are increasingly recognized as a crucial element in sustainable construction, offering a solution that goes beyond traditional solar panels by integrating energy generation directly into a building’s architecture. Unlike conventional PV systems, BIPV systems are woven into the design and construction process, making them more complex to manage and deploy. This article examines the pivotal roles played by different actors throughout the various stages of BIPV development, from research and design to implementation, underscoring the importance of a holistic approach.


Research and Simulation: The Foundation of BIPV Integration

Research institutions like EURAC, EPFL, and SUPSI are at the forefront of advancing BIPV technologies. Their work is fundamental in refining both the materials and systems used in BIPV, ensuring that these solutions are not only energy-efficient but also adaptable to diverse architectural demands. EURAC's research on climate-responsive façades, for example, demonstrates the importance of simulation in optimizing the performance of BIPV in various environmental conditions. At EPFL, cutting-edge simulations help architects visualize how photovoltaic elements can be seamlessly integrated into building designs without sacrificing aesthetics or structural integrity. Similarly, SUPSI has made significant strides in ensuring that BIPV systems meet stringent energy efficiency standards. Their research also supports the critical role of simulations in understanding how BIPV technologies behave under real-world conditions, ensuring that these systems are durable and capable of meeting long-term energy goals.


Fig. 1 | Innovative BIPV developed by SUPSI- Istituto sostenibilità applicata all'ambiente costruito(credit image: SUPSI)


Design Support: Bridging Innovation and Practicality

While research forms the backbone of BIPV, design support is equally essential. SUNAPPEAL is a key player in this space, providing architects and engineers with the tools and expertise needed to integrate BIPV into building designs. Their role ensures that photovoltaic elements are not treated as an afterthought but are incorporated into the initial design stages. By offering design support, SUNAPPEAL helps to navigate the complex relationship between form and function, ensuring that the final design is both visually appealing and energy efficient.

This collaboration between research institutions and design experts is crucial in addressing the dual challenge of making BIPV systems both efficient and aesthetically integrated. Without such a partnership, BIPV risks being perceived as a mere technical add-on, rather than a key feature of sustainable architecture.


Construction: The Role of Industry Leaders

When it comes to turning research and designs into reality, construction companies like ONYX Solar play a pivotal role. ONYX Solar’s experience in integrating photovoltaic glass into facades and other building surfaces has been transformative in demonstrating the real-world potential of BIPV. Their projects, from hospitals in New York to public buildings in Europe, showcase how BIPV can deliver energy savings while enhancing the visual appeal of structures.

However, the installation of BIPV systems is more complex than traditional photovoltaic systems due to the integration into building materials. This is where construction expertise becomes indispensable. The collaboration between designers and construction players ensures that the systems are installed correctly, maintaining both the structural integrity and the energy efficiency of the building.



Fig. 2 | Oustanding BIPV solution for skyscraper (creator: M. Donghi, credit: ONYX Solar)


Managing BIPV: A Holistic Approach

One of the key takeaways from BIPV projects is the need for a holistic approach. Unlike mature photovoltaic products, BIPV requires careful coordination across multiple stages—research, simulation, design, and construction—each with its own set of challenges. This holistic management ensures that BIPV systems are not only functional but also capable of meeting aesthetic and performance expectations. Moreover, managing BIPV projects holistically ensures that stakeholders are aligned from the earliest research stages through to final construction. Conferences such as Active Building Skin in Bern and EU-PVSEC play a crucial role in bringing together actors from all stages of BIPV development, fostering collaboration, and advancing the field. These congresses provide platforms for researchers, designers, and construction firms to share insights, learn from each other’s experiences, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in BIPV.


Conclusion: The Importance of Collaborative Effort

The success of BIPV projects relies on the concerted efforts of research institutions, design support specialists, and construction companies. Each actor plays a crucial role in ensuring that BIPV systems meet both aesthetic and energy efficiency standards. As we’ve seen, EURAC, EPFL, SUPSI, SUNAPPEAL, and ONYX Solar exemplify how collaboration across different stages can lead to successful BIPV implementation. Their work is proving that BIPV is not just a technical innovation but a transformative approach to sustainable architecture. As the industry continues to evolve, managing BIPV holistically will remain essential to unlocking its full potential. In the next article, we will explore the specific products and services driving innovation in BIPV, along with the risks and opportunities associated with their adoption.

Fig. 3 | Transparent PV-IGU (credit: Glass To Power)

Reference


Bonomo, P, Frontini, F., Loonen, R and Reinders, A.H.M.E.  (2024), "Comprehensive review and state of play in the use of photovoltaics in buildings", in Energy and Buildings, vol. 323, 114737


Pelle, M., Causone, F., Maturi, L and Moser, D. (2023), "Opaque Coloured Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV): A Review of Models and Simulation Frameworks for Performance Optimisation", in Energies, 16 (4)


Frontini, F., Bonomo, P., Moser, D. and Maturi, L. (2021), “Building integrated photovoltaic facades: challenges, opportunities and innovations”, in Gasparri, E., Brambilla, A., Lobaccaro, G., Goia, F., Andaloro, A. and Sangiorgio, A. (eds.) Rethinking Building Skins: Transformative Technologies and Research Trajectories, pp. 201-229


Bizzarri, F., Moser, D. and Mazzer, M. (2020), A Strategic Plan for Research and Innovation to Relaunch the Italian Photovoltaic Sector and Contribute to the Targets of the National Energy and Climate Plan (version 1.0: 16 July 2020).



Congress


Active Building Skin Conference – Bern [LINK]

The Active Building Skin conference in Bern brings together architects, engineers, and researchers to explore innovations in building envelopes, including BIPV integration. It's a key event for professionals interested in façade technology and sustainable energy solutions.


EU PVSEC (European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference) [LINK]

As one of the most important conferences on photovoltaics, EU PVSEC provides a platform for cutting-edge research on solar energy and BIPV systems. It’s a must-attend event for stakeholders aiming to stay ahead in the renewable energy space.


IEA PVPS (International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme) [LINK]

The IEA PVPS publishes reports and guidelines focusing on various aspects of photovoltaics, including BIPV. Their expert analyses on global market trends, technology developments, and policy insights are essential for those involved in the field.


Solar Power Europe – BIPV Task Force [LINK]

SolarPower Europe is a leading association advocating for solar power deployment across Europe. Their BIPV Task Force produces reports and recommendations to drive the adoption of BIPV technologies in urban environments.


The World Architecture Festival (WAF) [LINK]

WAF is a premier global event for architects and designers, showcasing cutting-edge projects and future trends. It’s a key platform for discussing innovations like sustainable building, BIPV, and smart technologies. Would you like to join about BIPV promotion? Contact us for more information.


CALL FOR ACTION

Start your BIPV journey today with Levery and transform your construction projects or your building products into energy-generating, future-ready buildings. Let’s work together to create buildings that benefit people, enviroment and economic.


Contact us now to discuss how we can help you integrate solar power into your next project and drive the shift toward a greener future.

Contact Us

Extended Reality (XR) in Construction: Transforming Design, Building, and Operation

By AP • April 3, 2025
Make it Human Extended Reality (XR) in Construction: Transforming Design, Building, and Operation Series: Make It Human - XR-02 Article: 04/25 Introduction The construction industry, long characterized by traditional methods, is undergoing a significant transformation driven by technological advancements. Extended Reality (XR) technologies are poised to redefine every stage of the construction lifecycle. XR, an umbrella term encompassing Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), blends the physical and digital worlds to create immersive and interactive experiences. From initial design conceptualization to the intricacies of on-site construction, the complexities of end-of-life processes, and the ongoing demands of operation and maintenance, XR is emerging as a powerful tool for enhancing accuracy, fostering collaboration, bolstering safety, and improving overall efficiency. The increasing adoption of these immersive technologies across the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry signals a fundamental shift towards a more digital and intuitive future. Companies at the forefront of XR technologies are revolutionizing workflows, reducing errors, and enhancing decision-making across the entire building lifecycle. Case Studies Transforming the Construction Sector: Virtual Prototyping and Immersive Collaboration The initial phases of any construction project, particularly design, are critical for setting the stage for success. XR technologies offer a paradigm shift in how designs are visualized and experienced. By enabling stakeholders to step into a full-scale, immersive 3D environment of the proposed building or infrastructure, XR overcomes the limitations of traditional 2D blueprints and static renderings that can often be challenging for non-technical audiences to interpret. This capability fosters a deeper understanding of spatial relationships, scale, and aesthetics, leading to more informed decision-making and reduced misunderstandings. The transformative power of XR extends beyond the design phase into the dynamic environment of the construction site itself. Augmented Reality, in particular, plays a crucial role in providing on-site workers with real-time guidance, enabling them to visualize digital information overlaid onto the physical construction environment. This capability enhances accuracy in installations, facilitates progress monitoring, and improves communication between on-site teams and remote experts. The adoption of XR in operation and maintenance offers numerous benefits. It improves efficiency and accuracy in maintenance tasks by providing real-time data and step-by-step instructions. Enhanced training for complex procedures can be delivered in a safe and virtual environment, leading to a more competent workforce.2 Remote assistance and collaboration capabilities allow for faster troubleshooting and resolution of complex repairs, reducing downtime.3 Predictive maintenance can be facilitated through the visualization and analysis of real-time data.1 Ultimately, these advantages contribute to reduced downtime, lower operational costs, and extended lifespans for buildings and infrastructure. Unity – Custom XR Development for AEC Applications Unity is a powerful real-time 3D development platform that enables architects, engineers, and construction professionals to create immersive XR applications tailored to their specific needs. With Unity, stakeholders can build VR walkthroughs, AR overlays, and MR simulations to visualize projects at full scale before construction begins. Its capabilities extend to lighting analysis, spatial awareness, and integration with BIM models, improving decision-making and reducing errors. By allowing teams to interact with a digital twin of their project, Unity enhances collaboration and accelerates design approvals, ultimately reducing costly modifications during later stages. HoloBuilder – Real-Time Remote Construction Monitoring HoloBuilder revolutionizes site monitoring by offering a 360-degree photo documentation platform powered by AI and AR. Site managers and stakeholders can track progress remotely, compare real-time conditions with design models, and streamline issue detection. The platform seamlessly integrates with Autodesk and Procore, enabling automatic updates and historical tracking. Construction teams benefit from enhanced transparency, reduced rework, and improved quality control. By bridging the gap between virtual and physical job sites, HoloBuilder ensures efficient project execution and helps maintain project timelines and budgets. 

Tracking Product Lifecycle Information: Digital Product Passports Will Revolutionize Construction Industry

By MG • March 3, 2025
Make It Digital DPP– DPP case studies: Make It Digital DPP-02 Article: 03/25

Advancing BIPV in Architecture. Transforming Traditional Building Systems into Energy Generators.

By AP • February 4, 2025
Make It Green BIPV Products: Advancing Integration in Architecture Series: Make It Green BIPV-02 Article: 02/25 Introduction Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) represents a significant evolution in sustainable construction, transforming conventional building systems into dual-purpose components that maintain their primary architectural functions while generating clean energy. This technological advancement marks a departure from traditional design and construction approaches, where building systems played primarly passive role. By integrating photovoltaic capabilities into standard building components such as windows, facades, and roofing materials, BIPV solutions are revolutionizing the way we conceptualize building envelope systems. The integration of photovoltaic technology into building elements presents unique challenges, particularly in meeting both construction and electrical performance requirements. These solutions must simultaneously meet building elements code requirements such as mechanical strength, weather resistance, and thermal performance while meeting stringent photovoltaic standards for power generation and safety. This dual compliance requirement has driven significant innovation in materials science and engineering, resulting in sophisticated solutions that improve both building performance and energy generation capabilities.

Extended Reality (XR) Stakeholder Engagement and Actors' Role

By AP • January 3, 2025
Make It Human XR – Stakeholder Engagement and Actors' Role Series: Make It Human XR-01 Article: 01/25 Introduction Known for its complexity and reliance on precision, the construction industry is increasingly embracing digital technologies to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and improve efficiency. Among these technologies, Extended Reality (XR), which includes Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), has emerged as a powerful tool for revolutionizing construction practices at various stages of a building's lifecycle. By providing immersive and interactive environments, XR technologies enable stakeholders to visualize, simulate, and analyze construction projects in new ways, ultimately leading to smarter decisions, reduced errors, and increased productivity. VR, AR, and MR represent different but complementary approaches to integrating digital information into the physical world. These technologies have found multiple applications in the construction industry, from the design phase, where VR enables immersive simulations, to the operations phase, where AR and MR enhance building systems management and maintenance. As construction projects become more complex, the need for accurate, real-time data and seamless collaboration across teams has never been more critical. XR solutions provide innovative answers to these challenges, offering transformative potential to improve efficiency, reduce costs and promote sustainability in the built environment. This article will explore the different roles that VR, AR, and MR play in construction, and how these technologies are being applied at each stage of a project's lifecycle-from design and planning, to construction, to operations and maintenance. It will also highlight key players, including universities, research organizations, and companies, that are advancing XR in the construction sector. Definitions B efore diving into their applications, it's important to define the core technologies. Virtual Reality. VR is an immersive technology that creates an entirely digital environment, often experienced through headsets or other specialized devices. In the construction industry, VR allows stakeholders to step into a fully realized 3D model of a project before it is built, enabling virtual walkthroughs and simulations. This offers significant benefits in terms of design validation, user experience evaluation, and stakeholder engagement. For example, architects and clients can explore spaces, check dimensions, and visualize different design options in a virtual world, helping to identify potential problems early in the design process. Augmented Reality. AR overlays digital information - such as 3D models, annotations, or real-time data - onto the physical world. AR in construction is often used in the field to assist with tasks such as assembly, inspection, or maintenance. For example, using AR glasses or mobile devices, workers can see digital overlays that provide additional information about a building's components or systems as they interact with the physical space. This improves decision-making and reduces errors during construction and operation by providing real-time, contextual data. Mixed Reality. MR combines elements of VR and AR to create a seamless integration of the digital and physical worlds. MR allows users to interact with both real and virtual objects in real time, providing a more dynamic and interactive experience. In the construction industry, MR is increasingly being used for design collaboration and real-time project visualization. For example, engineers can view and manipulate digital models overlaid on physical components during construction or operation, enabling a more complete understanding of how different systems interact. MR fosters collaboration among multiple stakeholders by allowing them to share and manipulate project data in a common environment, regardless of physical location. Together, VR, AR, and MR are the core components of XR technology, which is rapidly transforming the construction industry by enabling more accurate planning, improved communication, and more informed decision-making at every stage of a project. These technologies are changing the way construction professionals engage with buildings at all stages, providing immersive ways to visualize, interact, and optimize the built environment.
MG

Digital Product Passport (DPP) Stakeholder Engagement and Actors' Role

By MG • November 28, 2024
Make It Digital DPP– Stakeholder Engagement and Actors' Role Series: Make It Digital DPP-01 Article: 02/24 Introduction The European Commission has recently adopted the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (EU, 2024), a regulatory instrument aimed at promoting and harmonizing circular economy practices in the design and production of a wide range of products, including construction products. The regulatory framework, which is expected to be fully adopted by the end of 2024, introduces the concept of the Digital Product Passport (DPP), a digital identity card for products, components, and materials that can store and make accessible detailed information about the product to help stakeholder make decision in adopting circular and informed choices. What is the state of the art? Who is driving it in the construction sector? The evolution of DPP and key players The evolution of the DPP for the construction sector arises from the growing need to track and valorize data throughout the entire life cycle of a building product, with a view to a circular economy and sustainability. A significant precursor was the European BAMB 2020 project (Building As a Material Bank), which pioneered the digitalization of construction materials and the importance of information transparency (Heinrich and Lang, 2020) (Fig. 1). In this context, the concept of Digital Mining emerges, aimed at extracting value from data coming from various sources, such as product technical sheets, environmental certifications, and supply chain information. Platforms like Circularise (Fig. 2) and MADASTER (Fig. 3) are already offering concrete solutions for the creation and management of DPPs, facilitating the collection, analysis, and sharing of data on building products, thus contributing to greater transparency and sustainability in the sector.