BIPV: Lessons Learned

Challenges and Opportunities of

Integrating PV into Building
Structures

Warwick Johnston, 2nd August 2008

 Introduction
• Least cost solar option? Optimal inclination?
• Challenges of Building Integration
– Integrated Design Process
– Angle & Orientation
– Shading
– Features & Benefits
• Case Studies
 Integrated Design Process
• Architects.....
– Engineers
– Urban Designers
– Installers
• Shading
– Known Shading
– Unknown Shading
 Optimal Orientation: Vertical
• Radiation Profile
• Effect of Shadows
• Amorphous
 Design for Shade
• Unavoidable
– Fixed Structure
• Known Shading
– Sub-System Design (Inverters, etc)
– Amorphous
• Unknown Shading
– Diodes
– Amorphous
 Ballarat University
• 200 m2, 8.4kWp
• 8 sub-systems
• Double-glazed 10% light-
transmitting
• Saving of A/C load & system
capacity
 Design Challenges
• Expected Shade
– Expected: Trees, Light Poles,
Entranceway
• System Design
– Custom Panel Design
– Inverters
1: 5 strings of 3 (tree) 5: 5 strings of 4
2: 5 strings of 3 6: 2 strings of 4 (pole #1)
3: 1 string of 4 (entranceway) 7: 3 strings of 4 (pole #1)
4: 3 strings of 4 8: 2 strings of 3 (pole #2)
Performance – Ballarat University
 Outcomes
• Unexpected Shade
– Floodlights
• Broken during shipping and handling, long
lead time
• Building a bridge, removing the light poles
 Tulla-Calder Interchange
• 500 m, 24kWp
• 5 sub-systems
• Noise attenuation
 Design Challenges
• Vertical Pitch
• Variable Orientation
• Expected Shade
– Gantries
• Vandalism
• Data Communications
 Design Responses
• System Design
– Inverters
– Panel Configuration

Sub System Configuration Orientation Shade

1 – IG 60 11 strings of 5 Gantry #1
2 – IG 60 11 strings of 5
3 – IG 30 10 strings of 3 Gantry #2
4 – IG 60 11 strings of 5
4 – IG 15 5 strings of 3 Trees
Performance - TCI
 Outcomes
• Iconic (?)
• Mis-oriented
• Broken during
shipping & handling,
long lead time
• Unexpected Shade
– Light Poles,
Emergency Phone
 40 Albert Road
• Solar Pergola
– BBQ Shelter, shade, extend usable space
– Unexpected Shade
• Fuel Cell Enclosure
– Extension to Solar Pergola
– Unexpected Shade
 Other Australian Installations
• Melbourne University
• Sydney Olympics
• Werrington Train Station
• PVSolar, Schott, SunTech, Kaneka, BP
 Thank you for your attention
• Thanks also to:
– Going Solar & Subcontractors
– Schott Solar
– Tulla-Calder Interchange Alliance
• Parsons Brinkerhoff, Baulderstone, Vicroads
– McIldowie Partners Architects
– 40 Albert Road
– Clean Energy Council, Sustainability Victoria
– PVSolar, SunTech...... and you!
Warwick Johnston
wbj@tpg.com.au
+61 (0)413 361 534
Also happy to discuss solar air conditioning with you!