The German SolarEnvelopeCenter consortium has a online planning guide to support the integration of BIPV in roofs and facades. The project brings together research institutes, architects, facade planners and solar energy companies.
Participants include the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE (Fraunhofer ISE), the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), Drees & Sommer SE, Wulf Architekten, IBC Solar and the Berlin-Brandenburg regional association of the German Solar Energy Society (DGS).
According to Fraunhofer ISE, the guide presents 15 technically and economically feasible construction principles for BIPV integration. The standardized concepts aim to help architects and project developers integrate solar energy elements at an early planning stage, in line with the German Compensation Structure for Architects and Engineers (HOAI), while ensuring compliance with relevant standards and building regulations.
The tool includes an input form to define the project phase and installation category, followed by an online configurator that allows users to refine parameters such as module dimensions, glass type, cell technology and encapsulation materials. The selected solutions serve as placeholders in the early project phases and can be adjusted during detailed design.
The guide does not prescribe specific manufacturers or products. Project partners say that suitable products are already available on the market for each of the fifteen construction principles, avoiding the need for complex, bespoke production.
In addition, the German Solar Energy Association has developed training courses for installers, planners, energy consultants and architects, including practical instructions on how to use the web-based tool.
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