VITALITY - Design rules for BIPV for an early planning stage

In the planning process of buildings an early and integrative planning guideline is required to successfully implement Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). Currently existing shortcomings are a lack of tools and a lack of a set of rules that can be easily applied in order to support especially those planners at an early stage who are not experienced in PV. VITALITY aims though at developing design rules and parameter areas for technically founded planning to be applied in exemplary use-cases with an urban context. Further, the influence of BIPV on further planning parameters of buildings (like thermal comfort, electrical yield) are evaluated. The usability and relevance for Building Information Modeling (BIM systems) will play an essential role in the project. According to the definitions of Climate Targets of the European Union (2009, 2011 and 2015) the area-wide implementation of BIPV is a must. At the same time the European Building Directive foresees the compulsory implementation of BIPV or similar active energy generation measures. These developments require strong efforts in terms of simplifying and enabling the consideration of BIPV in the planning process of buildings and urban districts. The Austrian Technology Platform Photovoltaics (TPPV) has defined in its position paper 2014 the integration of BIPV in the planning of new buildings as an important research topic and central cornerstone to foster the Austrian BIPV market.