A novel design approach to prefabricated BIPV walls for multi-storey buildings

Abstract

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) allow the adoption of clean energy on site and promote low-energy buildings. In highly urbanised cities, BIPV applications on building façades are preferable to rooftop solar systems, especially on tall buildings with limited roof space. However, the lack of “plug-and-play” BIPV on the market has hindered their deployment. To facilitate BIPV adoption in buildings, this study investigates the design method of a prefabricated unitised BIPV wall system based on the prefabrication technology of light gauge steel structure. The new BIPV wall system is characterised by an “all-in-one” design with multiple functional layers that allows the independent operation of each unit and an interlocking joint design that enables fast installation and guarantees air and water tightness requirements. The investigated novel and systematic design approach includes two-dimensional cross-sectional design, PV mounting design, three-dimensional modelling and system mock-up. The outcome of the design approach has been constructed and demonstrated at full-scale in Singapore. Three workers without electrical experience can handle the on-site installation manually from indoors in the building without the use of scaffolding, because each unit is preassembled and pre-wired at the off-site factory. The findings reveal practical implications and the potential of the prefabricated BIPV system, as well as several limitations in the current study and future research directions for further development.