Active Interfaces

Holistic operational strategies crossing over obstacles for a large-scale qualitative integration of advanced BIPV into urban renewal processes.

This research project contributes to the Confederation’s new “Energy Strategy 2050” which requires 10 GW of photovoltaic (PV) energy. Through a holistic approach, the project proposes concrete strategies in order to overcome the obstacles to a broad quantitative and qualitative integration of buildings integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV) during the urban renewal processes. Currently, despite technological and economic progress, only a small percentage of the solar electricity potential is exploited by BIPV systems (facade or roof elements).

The research project analyzes the various barriers which tend to limit the massive implementation of BIPV on the architectural and urban scales. It also proposes alternative solutions developed through holistic approaches linked to industrial production, constructive and legal constraints, architectural quality and socio-cultural aspects. From a sustainability perspective, the development of new adapted solutions takes into account diverse criteria (energy, comfort, LCA, costs, esthetics, costs of electricity and grid connection). The integration of test-applications carried out on representative sites, offers an attractive link between the development of industrial elements and the generation of operational knowledge directly integrated into new adapted solutions and design strategies.

Research Partners
Laboratory of Architecture and Sustainable Technologies (LAST), PV-LAB, LIPID, CSEM, ISAAAC (SUPSI), CC EASE (HSLU), IBI (ETHZ), IWÖ (FHSG), IEnergy (EIA-FR), econcept AG.

Research Team LAST
Prof. Emmanuel Rey, Dr. Sophie Lufkin, Dr. Sergi Aguacil

Funding
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) – National Research Program NRP 70

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