Enhance co-operation with important stakeholders such as the building sector, architects, electrical installers and utilities to facilitate the introduction of PV in built environments and network integration.

Under the Project activities, communication channels have been created between the PV industry and relevant stakeholders in the construction sector such as architects, the glass industry, utilities and the EC. Information on the benefits and characteristics of PV technology and BIPV products is being disseminated through fairs and events for the stakeholders.

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Strengthening the European Photovoltaic Sector by Cooperation with Important Stakeholders

After 30 months of intense work, the SUNRISE project finished at the end of 2009. Project partners achieved progress in paving the way for Photovoltaics (PV) to become a mainstream energy source in Europe’s future energy mix.

The project focused on strengthening the cooperation between the PV industry and important sectors: architects, constructors and installers on the one hand, utilities and network operators on the other hand. It provided a platform for discussion between these stakeholders, which is key for the future of PV deployment. During the last two years, a series of workshops and conferences were held in the framework of the project. Representatives of each sector presented their viewpoints on the potential and added value of PV, its limitations, the current market situation and barriers which provide difficulties for PV diffusion either in the building environment or the electricity grid. Most importantly, all parties presented possible solutions to trigger PV growth in Europe and optimise its use.

The project consortia, based on feedback from the workshops and interaction with the industry, focused its efforts on understanding and analysing the current barriers for PV deployment in the building sector and on the electricity grid, and providing recommendations and solutions to overcome them.

In the area of building integration, much of the work focused on architects, such as the brochure “Building Integrated Photovoltaics - A new design opportunity for architects” and a toolbox for calculating PV electricity production based on the system area (m²) and not on the system power (Wp) which is more convenient for the construction sector. The report “Barriers for the introduction of Photovoltaics in the building sector” presents existing bottlenecks and potential solutions. More information is available here.

In the area of grid integration, the added value of PV to reduce peak power demand was analysed and is presented in the report Study on peak power supply by solar electricity. The report recommendations for unified technical regulations for grid-connected PV systems present the state of play on PV grid connection in Europe like national grid codes and European initiatives to harmonise them. More information is available here.

All the documents and software developed by the SUNRISE project are available for free at: www.pvsunrise.eu

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Under the framework of the EU PV SUNRISE Project, a report identifying the barriers which prevent or discourage the integration of PV in the building sector has been published. The report is based on a survey carried out by FIEC (European Construction Industry Federation) among its national members and further research done by UIA-ARES (International Union of Architects), AIE (European Association of Electrical Contractors), EPIA and WIP who form the consortium of the PV SUNRISE project.

In the report, four types of barriers have been identified: Administrative barriers, Market barriers, Technical barriers and Perception barriers. For each one, a series of recommendations and potential solutions to overcome them is offered.

The report is aimed at architects and stakeholders from the building sector (contractors, installers, roofers, constructors, etc.) but it also serves those from the PV community who would like to learn how those administrative, market, perception and technical barriers can be, in many cases, easily eliminated.

The full document is available on the PV SUNRISE project website: www.pvsunrise.eu

The project is mainly structured into two working packages:

• PV diffusion in the Building sector: The aim of this working package is to improve cooperation with the building/construction sector. The main target groups are Architects, Constructors and PV module manufacturers. On the one hand, architects need to be convinced that PV systems are a reasonable alternative in comparison with other construction materials. On the other hand, PV module manufacturers and the building sector have to collaborate in developing new products - not only for roof-top installations but primarily for building-integrated PV modules that not only generate electricity but also replace other construction materials and provide further functionalities (e.g. shadowing, noise protection, weather protection, light).

  The work of SUNRISE has been focused on identifying the existing barriers for PV to be deployed in the building sector and to provide recommendations on how to surpass them. Now, the work is focused on the harmonisation and standardisation of PV products for buildings.

  A set of events was organised during the last two years of the project in order to promote PV among the construction sector. The results and presentations can be found on the SUNRISE website. Further events will be organised in 2009 (please visit the EPIA events calendar)

• PV network integration: The aim of this work package is to start a dialogue between the PV industry and utilities. Under discussion is the integration of PV in the network and how to find a balance between centralised and decentralised generation, keeping in mind grid stability and system control. Up until now, utilities have often taken a very critical attitude towards renewable energy sources in general and, as well, towards PV.

  Therefore it is essential to start a constructive dialogue on how the integration of PV into the European electricity supply can be managed in a win-win situation for all parties. Within this work package, the role of solar electricity in marketing campaigns and technical regulations for PV grid-connection will be analysed, especially the contribution of solar electricity to the peak power supply. To bring together the PV sector and European utilities, a workshop entitled “PV Network Integration: Challenges and Opportunities” has already been organised during the European Sustainable Energy Week. Moreover, a final workshop will be organised in October, in conjunction with the Solar Summit 2009, in Freiburg, Germany.

Duration: May 2007-November 2009

Partners: EPIA (project coordinator), UIA-ARES (International Union of Architects), AIE (Association of Electrical Contractors), FIEC (European Construction Industry Federation), WIP and EDF.

Project website: www.pvsunrise.eu/

If you want to know more about the project, please contact:
Daniel Fraile Montoro, EPIA
Phone : +32 2 400 10 62
Email:   d.fraile(at)epia.org