Status for the Task

Activities in the Task are now well under way and include international collaboration on scientific, architectural and commercial aspects with current participation of research and test institutes, manufacturers, consulting engineers and universities from Canada, Denmark, Greece, Israel, Italy, The Netherlands, South Korea, Spain and Sweden.

  • Kick-off meeting in Denmark, January 2005
  • 2nd Task meeting in The Netherlands, October 2005
  • 3rd Task meeting in Sweden, June 2006
  • 4th Task meeting in Canada, October 2006
  • 5th Task meeting in Italy, March 2007

    Kick-off meeting in Denmark, January 2005

    In December 2004 invitations to the Kick-off meeting for the Task were sent out to more than 120 persons known to be involved with PV/T systems. 27. - 28. January 2005 the Kick-off meeting was held in Copenhagen with participation of 22 experts from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

    The kick-off meeting focussed on presentation of potential participants in Task 35, planning of the Task and selected presentations by experts in the fields of PV/Thermal Solar Systems on the issues of each of the 5 Subtasks.

    An effort was made to discuss and further define the activities and outcomes and deliverables from each of the Subtasks. The discussions were summarised in a table with activities, priority, preferred deliverable/outcome and identification of the first moves for initiating the activities.

    To top of page

    2nd Task meeting in The Netherlands, October 2005

    The 2nd Task meeting was held in The Netherlands 13-15 October 2005, hosted by ECN. The meeting was organised as a two and a half day meeting to allow sufficient time to co-ordinate the details of the planned laboratory experiments and have updated presentations of on-going work relevant to the development of PV/Thermal Solar Systems.

    The status for the different subtasks is listed in the following.

    Subtask A - Market and Commercialisation:
    Important input to the task work has been provided from the EU-project PVTF which is part of the cluster project PVCatapult. Here a main deliverable is an overall road-map for commercialisation of PV/T. The focus of the EU-funded work is naturally with the focus on the European situation, but the methodology of the project and reporting structure is very helpful as starting point for the work in Subtask A, where also countries and design aspects outside Europe will be covered.

    Specific activities have been started regarding the investigation of the market. Principles for segmentation of the market has been developed for both the PV and the solar thermal market and these analyses will be used as starting point for the further investigation of the market for PV/Thermal Solar Systems.

    Subtask B - Energy analysis and modelling:
    The investigation of already available simulation models, TRNSYS components and theoretical models is being carried out. The overview will be reported in a separate document relevant to all experts interested in starting modelling PV/Thermal Solar Systems.

    The modelling activities of the task have been started and an interesting issue for this development is current research on parameters determing the radiation balance and combination of absorbing and transmitting layers of typical solar cells and the possibilties to vary these properties. In popular terms this work could lead to solar cells optimised for PV/Thermal Solar Systems, where all radiation, which can be utilised for electricity production, is absorbed by the solar cell and the same solar cell can be transparent to all other wavelengths, so that the part of radiation not generating electricity will pass the solar cell and can be absorbed by a thermal absorber under the solar cell.

    Subtask C - Product and system development, test and evaluation:
    In order to achieve a much better understanding of the performance of already existing systems, a number of products and systems relevant for testing has been identified, and will be made available for testing at various laboratories during the first half of 2006.

    The first round of testing methodology has been discussed and decided at the 2nd task meeting in The Netherlands. An issue on round-robin tests versus testing according to current norms and standards was discussed at the last task meeting. It was decided to have the round-robin test when sufficient knowledge regarding characterisation of the performance of the different types of systems has been established, however until then different test methodologies based on the experiences from the participating laboratories and most recent international standardisation of testing procedures of solar systems will be used to achieve the first level of understanding of the performance of the systems.

    Subtask D - Demonstration projects:
    In order to be able to gain knowledge from demonstration projects within the time schedule of the task, the planning of work in subtask D is focusing on the identification of potential projects to be realised during 2006, allowing for monitoring of the realised projects and comparison with simulated performance of the systems.

    Currently several PV/Thermal Solar Systems are being planned in The Netherlands, South Korea, Canada and Israel. Details on these projects are being collected and analysed and decision on which projects to assist regarding design, monitoring and dissemination will be decided at the next task meeting in first half of 2006.

    Main activities of this subtask in the reporting period focus on establishing contact to potential hosts of demonstration projects and provide understanding of the needs and possibilities of the host and the specific objective of the demonstration project in each case.

    Subtask E - Dissemination:
    A good brainstorm session on dissemination activities at the 2nd task meeting has resulted in several ideas on how to disseminate the results of the task and how to learn from the dialogue with the key stake holders regarding key design criteria, key performance indicators relevant to focus on in order to target the market and input regarding spedific need for building integration of the technology into various types of building and architectural styles.

    Among the ideas is much better use of the IEA stand at upcoming conferences, where it could be interesting to exhibit a standard PV, a standard Solar Thermal and a PV/Thermal Solar system and ask interested visitors of the stand about their immediate impression and what they would expect of the combined system if they should consider it as an alternative to traditional systems.

    Other activities of this subtask focus on the development of presentation templates (MS PowerPoint) to be available for task experts to ease the presentation of the task in general, the participating experts, ongoing and completed activities and scientific material in general regarding PV/Thermal Solar Systems.

    To top of page

    3rd Task meeting in Sweden, June 2006

    The 3rd Task meeting was held in Sweden, 1-2 June 2006, hosted by Lund University.

    The status for the different subtasks is listed in the following.

    Subtask A - Market and Commercialisation:
    A compilation of several existing market surveys regarding PV, Solar Thermal and PV/T has been drafted to the Task experts. At the same time a document dealing with the planning of a market survey (A1-3) within the framework of IEA SHC Task 35 has been initiated.

    An overview of commercially available PV/T collectors has been drafted to the experts and when the document is completed it will be made available at the public website. The document will be updated every half year.

    The drawing up of a document dealing with identification of key persons/groups in the PV/T market is on-going.

    A review of the deliverable D3-5: PV-Thermal systems marketing and R&D roadmap from the EU-project PVTF, which is part of the cluster project PV Catapult, has been initiated. The Task experts have here been asked to provide input to whether the conclusions in the deliverable are valid for their respective countries.

    Subtask B - Energy analysis and modelling:
    The preparation of the deliverable DB1: Report on heat transfer models and electrical performance of PV/Thermal Solar Systems has been started. Here an investigation of already available simulation models, TRNSYS components and theoretical models is being described and the document will be relevant to all experts interested in starting modelling PV/Thermal Solar Systems.

    Subtask C - Product and system development, test and evaluation:
    Categorisation of PV/T collectors has been initiated and the overview of PV/T collectors and projects initiated by IEA PVPS Task 7, activity 2.5 and continued by the IEA SHC PVPS Joint Working Group on PV/Thermal Solar Systems has been updated.

    Investigation of the needs for development of PV/T-systems, -components and -control strategies has been performed by asking industry, manufacturers and designers. Only few answers have been received and therefore mainly the experience from the participating Task experts will be used in the further work in this area.

    Important input has been provided to the PV Catapult deliverable D8-6: PVT performance measurement guidelines and the document deals with performance testing issues for liquid cooled non-concentrating PV/T collectors. From this work it will be possible to characterise a PV/T collector in such a way that the annual energy production, both thermal and electrical, can be predicted for any given site.

    It was the idea to let a number of PV/T collectors be tested at various laboratories from March 2006 an onwards in order to achieve a much better understanding of the performance of already existing systems. For various reasons these tests have not been carried out yet.

    Subtask D - Demonstration projects:
    Interviews with stakeholders for already realized PV/T projects have been planned and are now being initiated on a national basis. The interviews will be used to give general recommendations on future demonstration projects and will also give information of whether monitoring results are available or/and whether it is possible to monitor in the context of Task 35.

    There are also activities focusing on the identification and initiation of new demonstration projects allowing for monitoring and comparison with simulated performance of the systems in accordance with the findings in the Task. An advertisement will be made at the official Task website to help locating suitable host(s) for demonstration of a particular PV/T technology or -system.

    Subtask E - Dissemination:
    An article presenting an overview of PV/Thermal Solar Systems and the research work IEA SHC Task 35 has been drawn up in the middle of April 2006 for the Austrian journal "erneuerbare energie". The journal reports about research and development in the field of renewable energies and the article will be published in the next edition of the journal.

    The official Task website http://www.iea-shc.org/task35 is continuously being updated and in April 2006 the website has been renewed and undergone graphical changes in order to be more attractive and professionally looking.

    To top of page

    4th Task meeting in Canada, October 2006

    The 4th Task meeting was held in Canada, 2-4 October 2006, hosted by University of Toronto. It was a full 3-day meeting and there was a joint session with the Canadian Solar Buildings Research Network (SBRN) which consists of 24 researchers from 10 Canadian universities. They have joined forces to develop the solar-optimized homes and commercial buildings of the future. SBRN also include experts from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC) and Hydro Québec. The joint session was used for presentations and discussion of how activities of the two groups, SBRN and IEA SHC Task 35, can be coordinated. It was agreed to set up a Letter of Understanding on the planned collaboration between IEA SHC Task 35 and SBRN. Specific collaboration was agreed on review of the proposals for Net Zero Energy Healthy Homes Demonstration program, in order to identify possible PV/Thermal Solar Energy systems demonstration sites.

    The status for the different subtasks is listed in the following.

    Subtask A - Market and Commercialisation:
    Market survey interviews of architects and solar dealers have been made in USA to obtain information from the market place about which things will affect or influence the purchase design, supply and installation of future PV/T projects.

    More interviews will be made in USA, Canada, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, and possibly Hong Kong, Denmark, Thailand, Greece, and Italy. Articles on the interviews will be made in the end of the year. During and after interviews more work will be done on identification of key persons/groups (decision makers) and order qualifiers and order winners. This will be concluded in an article in the beginning of next year.

    An overview of commercially available PV/T collectors has been made and is presently undergoing a review process by the IEA SHC Task Publication Review Committee and the Executive Secretary. When completed the file will be made public available at the Task website.

    Important input to the Task work has been provided from the PVT Forum project, which is part of the EU-supported project PV Catapult. Here a main deliverable is an overall road-map for commercialisation of PV/T. The focus of the EU-funded work is naturally with the focus on the European situation, but non-European countries are now reviewing and commenting on the roadmap. The work will be concluded in a more world wide oriented article.

    Subtask B - Energy analysis and modelling:
    It has been found that the vast majority of PV/T, PV, and Solar Thermal Models have already been developed in TRNSYS, and it has been decided that the Task would make this the platform of choice. Two new models for transpired air PV/T collectors and non-tracking PV/T concentrators are currently being developed.

    All the PV/T collector models will be compiled into a standard downloadable package of models for researchers and a standard downloadable package(s) for non-researchers, the latter based on TRNSED.

    Development of a standardized method for characterisation and monitoring of PV/T-modules is now on-going and different approaches have been discussed. A method that would catch the interaction of the thermal and PV systems has been devised and will need to be further developed to ensure its suitability.

    In terms of control strategies needed for PV/Thermal Systems a number of possible schemes can be devised that range from simple to complex. Further discussion is put off until the schemes can be modelled or tested.

    Subtask C - Product and system development, test and evaluation:
    An MS Excel spreadsheet with an overview of PV/T components and projects has been completed and is presently undergoing a review process from the SHC Task Publication Review Committee and the Executive Secretary. The spreadsheet will be made available at the public Task website.

    Test of a flat plate liquid PV/T collector from the Dutch manufacturer PVTWINS has been completed in September 2006 by the Danish Technological Institute. The same collector will now be tested at the University of Padova in Italy.

    Tests of a transpired air PV/T collector from Conserval Engineering, Canada is now being prepared for at the Danish Technological Institute. Another collector of this type is currently being tested at the National Solar Test Facility in Canada. Test of other categories of PV/T collectors are planned for in Sweden and Italy.

    Different test methodologies based on the experiences from the participating laboratories and most recent international standardisation of testing procedures of solar systems have and will be used. The aim of the activities is to achieve a much better understanding of the performance of already existing systems and to define standard methods for testing of the characteristics and durability of PV/T systems.

    Regarding investigation of the need for development for PV/T components, industry, manufacturers, and designers have been asked. The experts in the Task group will now point out the issues they see as most important including the need for new materials.

    Subtask D - Demonstration projects:
    Interviews of stakeholders for realised PV/T systems are being carried out on a national basis to learn from their experience and to make recommendations for next generation of demonstration projects. Monitoring results for existing PV/T projects will be collected to the extent where it is practically possible and of value to the Task. The results of the interviews will be included in a brochure.

    In order to be able to gain knowledge from demonstration projects within the time schedule of the Task, the planning of work in Subtask D is focusing on the identification of potential projects to be realised during 2006, allowing for monitoring of the realised projects and comparison with simulated performance of the systems.

    An advertisement for demonstration projects explaining the interest of the Task and benefit of hosts by having demonstration projects within the PV/T-sector has been made. The advertisement is presently undergoing a review process from the SHC and the Executive Secretary Task Publication Review Committee and will be made available at the public Task website and distributed to national contacts.

    Subtask E - Dissemination:
    An article (in German) presenting an overview of PV/Thermal Solar Systems and the research work IEA SHC Task 35 has been published in the Austrian journal "erneuerbare energie" 2-2006. The journal reports about research and development in the field of renewable energies. The article is available at the public Task website.

    A paper on the Task and PV/Thermal Solar Systems was presented at the World Renewable Energy Congress IX, 19-25 August 2006 in Florence, Italy and the abstract has been published by Elsevier in World Renewable Energy Congress IX, Book of Abstracts, 19-25 August 2006, Florence - Italy.

    A Task 35 flyer was distributed from the ECN stand and IEA PVPS stand at the 21st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in Dresden, 4-8 September 2006. The flyer has been redesigned and is now subjected to a review by the SHC Chairman, and the Executive Secretary.

    A logo for Task 35 has been made in cooperation with a Danish architect and lithographic artist. The symbolic of the logo is to illustrate the potential of harvesting electrical power, as well as heating and cooling from the same solar system.

    A Task 35 brochure is under preparation and a general presentation template (MS PowerPoint) has been developed for Task experts to ease the presentation of the Task in general, ongoing and completed activities and scientific material regarding PV/T.

    To top of page

    5th Task meeting in Italy, March 2007

    The 5th Task meeting was organised as a 3 day meeting and hosted by the University of Padova, Vicenza in Italy, 12-14 March 2007. Three PV/T collectors are being tested here and the meeting in Italy was a good opportunity for the group to see the test stand and discuss various issues related to testing.

    The status for the different subtasks is listed in the following.

    Subtask A - Market and Commercialisation:
    About 65 market survey interviews of architects and solar dealers have been made in Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and USA to obtain information from the market place about which things will affect or influence the purchase design, supply and installation of future PV/T projects.

    The preliminary results need to be seen as an information source on how different actors on the markets are reasoning more than a statistic analyze of a possible market. One of the important conclusions is that the markets are very different, depending mainly on how well PV has become part of the solar industry. The architects stressed building integration as the most important factor for a successful system. For both interview groups and in all countries, price of the systems is an essential parameter. Payback time is on all markets depending on what grants PV and Solar Thermal has, making the PV/T sector double sensitive to political decisions. Articles on the interviews will be made during 2007.

    More work will be done on identification of key persons/groups (decision makers) and order qualifiers and order winners. This will be concluded in an article during 2007.

    An overview of commercially available PV/T collectors has been made and is made public available at the Task website.

    Important input to the Task work has been provided from the PVT Forum project, which is part of the EU-supported project PV Catapult. Here a main deliverable is an overall road-map for commercialisation of PV/T. The focus of the EU-funded work is naturally with the focus on the European situation, but non-European countries have been reviewing and commenting on the roadmap. It is not finally clarified whether this work will be concluded in a more world wide oriented article.

    Subtask B - Energy analysis and modelling:
    A draft report on PV/T, PV, and Solar Thermal Models has been made.

    It has been decided to elaborate on the TRNSYS models for Water/Air PV/T collector (type 50d) and Concentrating PV/T collectors (type 50h). Development of TRNSYS models for non-tracking PV/T concentrators and transpired air PV/T collectors is currently being carried out.

    All the PV/T collector models will be compiled into a standard downloadable package of models for researchers and a standard downloadable package(s) for non-researchers, the latter based on TRNSED.

    Development of a standardized method for characterisation and monitoring of PV/T-modules is now on-going and different approaches have been discussed. This deals with a method by which the thermal and electrical output of PV/Thermal collectors can be quantified. Principally three ways of rating are being proposed as mentioned below. The first rating scheme is very detailed and complex but there is a decrease in detail and complexity as you go down in the list:
    - "design rating scheme"
    - "technical rating scheme"
    - "marketing scheme".
    The schemes are now and will in the coming period be detailed further in collaboration with participants in Subtask C.

    The development of control strategies needed for PV/Thermal Systems has been discussed. For liquid based PV/T collectors the control strategy could be the same as for a solar thermal collector but there could be other control strategies. However, it has been decided that investigation of control strategies will not be made within this Task unless somebody has the time.

    Subtask C - Product and system development, test and evaluation:
    An overview of PV/T components and projects has been completed and is available at the public Task website.

    Flat plate glazed liquid PV/T collectors from the Dutch manufacturer PVTWINS, previously tested at the Danish Technological Institute, and a prototype, COGEN, from Ecosolar Engineering, DTG in Italy are now being tested at the University of Padova in Italy together with a unglazed liquid/air PV/T collector, MSS from Millennium Electric, Israel.

    Testing of a transpired air PV/T collector from Conserval Engineering, Canada, previously tested at the National Solar Test Facility in Canada, is now being performed at the Danish Technological Institute.

    Testing of other categories of PV/T collectors are currently being carried out at Lund University in Sweden.

    Different test methodologies based on the experiences from the participating laboratories and most recent international standardisation of testing procedures of PV/T collectors have and will be used. The aim of the activities is to achieve a much better understanding of the performance of already existing systems and to suggest standard methods for testing of the characteristics and durability of PV/T collectors.

    Regarding investigation of the need for development for PV/T components, industry, manufacturers, and designers have been asked and the experts in the Task group will now formulate the Task´s recommendations for R & D needs.

    Subtask D - Demonstration projects:
    Interviews of stakeholders for realised PV/T systems are being carried out on a national basis for Canada, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, and USA. The aim is to learn from their experience and to make recommendations for next generation of demonstration projects. Monitoring results for existing PV/T projects will be collected to the extent where it is practically possible and of value to the Task. The results of the interviews will be included in a brochure.

    An effort is being done to identify potential new PV/T demonstration projects. To support this activity an advertisement for demonstration projects explaining the interest of the Task and benefit of hosts by having demonstration projects has been made and is available at the public Task website. There have been enquiries from Greece, Italy, and USA but no projects have been initiated so far.

    Subtask E - Dissemination:
    An article, "PV/T collectors - Technologies combine to increase output" describing the aims and organisation of Task 35, tests of different PV/T collectors and expected outcomes of the Task has been published in the IEA SHC Solar Update Newsletter, December 2006. The article is available at the public Task website. An abstract has been made for the 22nd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC), Milan, Italy, 3-7 September 2007. The abstract has been accepted for an oral presentation on the conference and preparation of the full paper describing the aims and organisation of Task 35, the PV/T technology and some preliminary results of the Task work, will now be initiated.

    An abstract has been made for the ISES Solar World Congress 2007, Beijing, 18-21 September 2007. If accepted, the paper will describe the PV/T technology, results from research and development of PV/T systems in Thailand and Hong Kong, the aims and organisation of Task 35, and some preliminary results of the Task work.

    A Task 35 flyer has been completed and is available at the public Task website. The flyer has been printed in 1,300 copies and has been sent to all contributors to the Task 35 work for further distribution.

    The Task meeting in Italy, 12-14 March 2007 had intensive media coverage. The regional newspaper "Il Gazzetino" interviewed the Italian hosts and an article was published the following day. Furthermore the local TV channel "Canale 68" and the TV channel "Antenna 3" covering a larger area also filmed some of the meeting and interviewed the Italian hosts.

    A Task 35 brochure describing aims and organisation of Task 35, the PV/T technology, manufacturer contact, and the final Task results will be made in the end of the Task period.

    To top of page