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Coloured building integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) may contribute to meeting the decarbonisation targets of European and other countries. Nevertheless, their market uptake has been hindered by a lack of social acceptance, technical issues, and low economic profitability. Being able to assess in advance the influence of the coloured layers on a module's power generation may help reduce the need for prototyping, thereby allowing optimisation of the product performance by reducing the time and costs of customised manufacturing. Therefore, this review aims at investigating the available literature on models and techniques used for assessing the influence of coloured layers on power generation in customised BIPV products. Existing models in the literature use two main approaches: (i) detailed optical modelling of the layers in the module's stack, including coloured layers, and (ii) mathematical elaboration of the final product's measured characteristics. Combining the two approaches can provide improved future models, which can accurately assess every single layer in the module's stack starting from measured parameters obtained with simpler equipment and procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy flexibility in buildings is gaining momentum with the introduction of new European directives that enable buildings to manage their own energy demand and production, by storing, consuming or selling electricity according to their need. The transition towards a low-carbon energy system, through the promotion of on-site energy production and enhancement of self-consumption, can be supported by building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) technologies. This paper investigates the aesthetic and technological integration of hidden coloured PV modules in architecturally sensitive areas that seem to be the best possibility to favour a balance between conservation and energy issues. First, a multidisciplinary methodology for evaluating the aesthetic and technical integration of PV systems in architecturally sensitive area is proposed, referring to the technologies available on the market. Second, the experimental characterisation of the technical performance specific BIPV modules and their comparison with standard modules under standard weather condition are analysed, with the aim of acquiring useful data for comparing the modules' integration properties and performance. For this purpose, new testbeds have been set up to investigate the aesthetic integration and the energy performances of innovative BIPV products. The paper describes the analyses carried out to define the final configuration of these experimental testbeds. Finally, the experimental characterisation at standard test conditions of two coloured BIPV modules is presented and the experimental design for the outdoor testing is outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The demand for building-integrated photovoltaics is constantly increasing, which is reflected in an increasing number of innovative BIPV products on the market and attractively implemented BIPV installations. To support architects, system developers, and other stakeholders involved in the planning of new BIPV projects, the experts of IEA-PVPS Task 15 have developed a multi-dimensional assessment tool based on the experiences and learnings of already installed BIPV-projects. The creation of a comprehensive, interdisciplinary evaluation methodology makes it possible to compare the multi-dimensional performance of existing BIPV systems, to derive strengths and weaknesses and to use this knowledge to plan application-optimized new BIPV systems. In a systematic step-by-step development process, four performance categories were defined: energy-related, economic, environmental and optical/visual. After defining the relevant performance indicators per category, a numerical rating system was established. In addition, a classification scheme for all relevant BIPV installation types was defined. Initial analyses were performed by a group of experts on several case studies of BIPV-roofs, facades and external devices in order to test and validate the methodology and approaches. Multiple iterations were required to optimize the methodology, but issues such as (i) lack of data availability for full project assessment or (ii) objectivity in visual assessments exist and will remain demanding. The research work also identified challenges and limitations in the context of pioneering and pilot building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) projects, which often used newly developed, immature or early-stage technologies at the time of their construction. The evaluation results of such lighthouse projects can vary significantly from those of BIPV installations using standardized products and well-established processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Develop advanced energy matching concepts to improve building cluster performance. • Present a coupled PV-exhaust air heat pump-thermal storage-electric vehicle system. • Retrofit a Swedish building cluster to be a prosumer using developed energy concepts. • Optimize capacity/position of PV modules at cluster level for difference scenarios. • Study impacts of thermal storage, electric vehicle and energy sharing on PV design. Smart grid is triggering the transformation of traditional electricity consumers into electricity prosumers. This paper reports a case study of transforming an existing residential cluster in Sweden into electricity prosumers. The main energy concepts include (1) click-and-go photovoltaics (PV) panels for building integration, (2) centralized exhaust air heat pump, (3) thermal energy storage for storing excess PV electricity by using heat pump, and (4) PV electricity sharing within the building cluster for thermal/electrical demand (including electric vehicles load) on a direct-current micro grid. For the coupled PV-heat pump-thermal storage-electric vehicle system, a fitness function based on genetic algorithm is established to optimize the capacity and positions of PV modules at cluster level, with the purpose of maximizing the self-consumed electricity under a non-negative net present value during the economic lifetime. Different techno-economic key performance indicators, including the optimal PV capacity, self-sufficiency, self-consumption and levelized cost of electricity, are analysed under impacts of thermal storage integration, electric vehicle penetration and electricity sharing possibility. Results indicate that the coupled system can effectively improve the district-level PV electricity self-consumption rate to about 77% in the baseline case. The research results reveal how electric vehicle penetrations, thermal storage, and energy sharing affect PV system sizing/positions and the performance indicators, and thus help promote the PV deployment. This study also demonstrates the feasibility for transferring the existing Swedish building clusters into smart electricity prosumers with higher self-consumption and energy efficiency and more intelligence, which benefits achieving the '32% share of renewable energy source' target in EU by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]