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The aim of the joint project was to increase the acceptance and use of building-integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV) by integrating the Building Information Modelling (BIM) method and using visually appealing PV surfaces to enhance the aesthetics of façades. For demonstration purposes and as a real-world laboratory, the façade surface of the Danish pavilion at the Hanover Exhibition Centre was made available for use. Here, data could be collected over the entire life cycle of a BIPV system. This data was fed into a digital twin and formed the basis for validating the practical suitability and digital application possibilities.

The bifa sub-project focused on the development of tools and methods that allow the systematic consideration of buildings with façade-integrated BIPV systems from the design phase through the entire life cycle.

Focus of the project

• Examination of the life cycle (planning– production– construction– operation –recycling) of a specific demonstration object with a view to increasing material and energy efficiency, with a particular focus on the operational phase and energy optimisation through low-investment measures
• Further development in the field of energy building simulation, building monitoring, building management technology and energy-efficient operational optimisation in conjunction with digital methods
• Development of innovative planning, construction and operational processes for controlling information flows on the digital BI(M)PV platform

Project results

All project results were compiled in a practical guide (https://solarskin.rwth-aachen.de/) for stakeholders in the life cycle of BIPV systems and expanded to include a digital BIMPV platform that maps the processes and information in the life cycle based on the digital twin.

The project was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy as part of the 7th Energy Research Programme.

Participating institutions:

• Chair and Institute for Construction Management, Digital Construction and Robotics in Construction (ICoM), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen;
• Institute for Solar Energy Research GmbH (ISFH), Emmerthal;
• CAE - Centre for Applied Energy Research e.V., Würzburg;
• bifa Umweltinstitut GmbH, Augsburg;
• albert.ing GmbH, Frankfurt am Main;
• LHR - Lang Hugger Rampp Architekten GmbH, Munich;
• nD-System GmbH, Hanover;
• nD-enerserve GmbH, Hemmingen

The final report can be obtained from the Technical Library in Hanover:

https://oa.tib.eu/renate/handle/123456789/19156

https://doi.org/10.34657/18173