1.1 Holistic research groups

The work is divided into thematic research and demonstration buildings. The information source to be used in the thematic groups is mainly the demonstration buildings that will be built in the participating countries. The information collected from each building will be used as input to the conclusions of the different groups. Each thematic group will address the Northern Dimension and the corresponding problems throughout their work and produce first concrete recommendations for future BIPV projects. Dutch partners will share their experience from the last ten years working with BIPV exploitation and development.

Five Thematic Areas have been identified corresponding to five important barriers to BIPV exploitation. These Areas are grouped into the following two Work packages:

Work packages 1 and 2 represent the co­ordination and dissemination of the project, respectively. The partners in WPs 3 and 4 represent different interest groups in PV exploitation, so as to form holistic and multi­knowledge groups, capable of addressing the barriers from different angles and perspectives. The Task

Leaders are responsible for leading the discussions, compiling results and

administrating all work in relation to each respective area.

Each group has the freedom to develop the contents of their work, but will follow a general work design. The groups will utilise the knowledge and experience that the

participants have developed through years of work in the area, from participating in EU-funded and national projects and networks, and so on. They are analysing each building of the project, both by studying material on solutions and technology, and by visiting the buildings. The fact that all involved participants represent or work in the construction industry is a guarantee that all information developed will be concrete and directly usable in the design, development and planning of PV installations in the Northern Dimension. All results will be disseminated in the Northern Dimension, e. g. in the form of written material or open spreading of information.

The outcome of all tasks will be recommendations on design of BIPV in future buildings and lessons learned from the PV — NORD demonstration projects.

1.2 Task 3.1 Aesthetics and PV Integration

Task 3.1 Aesthetics and PV Integration will

review the architectural solutions and the integration methods applied in each building project. Background information regarding the planning process is of great interest as many BIPV projects are stopped already in a very early stage due to negative opinions from city planners or other decision-makers involved. It is valuable to see early architectural sketches in order to follow the development to the final design. Aesthetics and PV integration is closely interrelated factors. Examples are climate (e. g. snow, ice, heavy rains) and sun inclination (e. g. double function shading), which affect the design and reflect on the characteristics of the installation.

1.3 Task 3.2 Environment

Task 3.2 Environment is dedicated to the very important issues regarding materials used in the solar cells and other parts of the PV installations. The concept of Building Integrated PV should include that the solar cells are considered an energy source AND a building component similar to e. g. roof tiles, bricks or concrete. Compared to other EU-countries, Northern Europe has advanced greatly in the area of environmental legislation and norms and their implementation: These are to be taken into thorough consideration in PV-NORD.

1.4 Task 3.3 Power and Electricity

Task 3.3 Power and Electricity addresses the electrical design in each demonstration project. Which system voltage is selected, how can the connection of modules be solved, what about grounding, lighting and over voltage protection, what are the criteria for selecting inverters, are some examples of relevant issues. Safety is of course a high priority, as are the relevant electrical codes and installation recommendations. The connection to the utility grid will also be part of Task 3.3.

1.5 Task 4.1 Financing and Ownership

In Task 4.1 Financing and Ownership different financing solutions are evaluated. Subsidies might come from national or municipality programmes or in the form of rate-based incentives and so on. Several of the new innovative financing solutions such as BOOT (Build, Own, Operate and Transfer) and

different financing partnership constellations could be transferred to the BIPV sector. The ownership of the PV installations can also vary from each flat having its own system or belonging to a co-operative tenants-owned building society. In some cases the local utility company is the owner. Different solutions also have varying effects on taxation.

1.6 Task 4.2 Management and ICT Task 4.2 Management and ICT (Information and Communication Technology), finally, focus on how operation and maintenance of the PV systems is solved in the different demonstration buildings. Particular emphasis is put on the use of tools based on modern information technologies, ICT. In the Swedish buildings (Holmen/Grynnan and Lysande, see below) a local Intranet will be installed and IT will be a general tool for the surveillance of the buildings. The tenants will have access to data showing their energy consumption and it is foreseen that also monitoring of the PV installations will be included. For example, the Ekoviikki demonstration building (Finland) will involve advanced ICT for control of the PV installations in cooperation with the regional utility company. Advanced information technology solutions will be demonstrated where the production and consumption of PV energy would be constantly monitored and controlled. The tenants will even have access to real-time updates through the Internet or a mobile phone.