BIPV Goes EU: Coffee Break With Energy Commissioner Simson
Leading a grass roots campaign of more than 200 European BIPV value chain partners (ranging from Academia to SMEs), Olivier Demeijer (ISSOL) and Niels Schreuder (AGC Glass Europe) handed over a letter to Commissioner Kadri Simson asking for better recognition of BIPV in EU policies. By driving a BIPV Shuttle in front of the European Commission’s headquarters, they were also able to showcase some of the most recent BIPV technologies - among which a perfect copy of a typical Berlaymont “louver” with PV-cells integrated in it. This prototype served as an example of BIPV's enormous potential to decarbonize the EU’s building stock. BIPV Background Did you know that if all louvers on the European Commission’s Berlaymont building were to be equipped with BIPV, as much as 3,09 GWH/y could be generated? That is the equivalent of the yearly electricity consumption of approximately 800 households! With the current electricity prices, it would lead to a revenue of €3.223.240 in 10 years, easily outweighing its investments. But there are many other new and innovative applications of BIPV enabling building materials to contain PV cells - and this will help transform the whole EU building stock into a de facto energy generator. To be able to achieve the objectives of the Renovation Wave – e.g. renovating 35 million buildings by 2030, creating up to 160,000 additional green jobs in the construction sector and the EU’s overall aim of reducing 60% of GHG emissions in buildings, as well as their energy consumption – we must aim for the mass deployment of all kinds of solar applications. So, not only on roofs but also those on building facades, including BIPV. BIPV can be added to existing building facades by way of aesthetically attractive, non-intrusive renovation. This creates European and local green jobs; more so than with standard PV products. The EU BIPV value chain is ready to contribute and calls upon the European Union to recognize and specifically mention BIPV as readily available solutions within EU policies and in the upcoming revisions of energy-related EU Directives.
Leading a grass roots campaign of more than 200 European BIPV value chain partners (ranging from Academia to SMEs), Olivier Demeijer (ISSOL) and Niels Schreuder (AGC Glass Europe) handed over a letter to Commissioner Kadri Simson asking for better recognition of BIPV in EU policies. By driving a BIPV Shuttle in front of the European Commission’s headquarters, they were also able to showcase some of the most recent BIPV technologies - among which a perfect copy of a typical Berlaymont “louver” with PV-cells integrated in it. This prototype served as an example of BIPV's enormous potential to decarbonize the EU’s building stock. BIPV Background Did you know that if all louvers on the European Commission’s Berlaymont building were to be equipped with BIPV, as much as 3,09 GWH/y could be generated? That is the equivalent of the yearly electricity consumption of approximately 800 households! With the current electricity prices, it would lead to a revenue of €3.223.240 in 10 years, easily outweighing its investments. But there are many other new and innovative applications of BIPV enabling building materials to contain PV cells - and this will help transform the whole EU building stock into a de facto energy generator. To be able to achieve the objectives of the Renovation Wave – e.g. renovating 35 million buildings by 2030, creating up to 160,000 additional green jobs in the construction sector and the EU’s overall aim of reducing 60% of GHG emissions in buildings, as well as their energy consumption – we must aim for the mass deployment of all kinds of solar applications. So, not only on roofs but also those on building facades, including BIPV. BIPV can be added to existing building facades by way of aesthetically attractive, non-intrusive renovation. This creates European and local green jobs; more so than with standard PV products. The EU BIPV value chain is ready to contribute and calls upon the European Union to recognize and specifically mention BIPV as readily available solutions within EU policies and in the upcoming revisions of energy-related EU Directives.