Industrialized roof with BIPV and smart glazing windows for collective private users
Collective private users, by joining forces to renovate the building they live in, can achieve several benefits.
Many private users:
- Aim to significantly reduce energy consumption and cut down on utility bills.
- Desire high-quality solutions that enhance the performance and sustainability of their buildings.
- May be wary of the initial investment costs associated with deep renovation.
A solution that incorporates prefabricated panels with smart windows, photovoltaic panels, and adaptable building management systems is a great opportunity for collective private users.
The product
The Industrialized Roof with Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), Smart Glazing Window, and Adaptable Building Management System (aBMS) is a solution to make buildings more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
The solution features:
- Integrated photovoltaic panels that generate electricity while blending seamlessly with the roof's design. This means producing clean energy without compromising the look of the building. The envelope also provides excellent insulation, helping to keep the building warm in the winter and cool in the summer, which reduces the need for heating and cooling.
- Smart Glazing Window is a technology that adjusts the window shades based on the weather, sunlight and temperatures. This helps to keep indoor temperatures comfortable, reduces glare, and maximizes natural light, creating a comfortable environment inside the building.
- Adaptable Building Management System (aBMS), which connects everything. It allows users to monitor and control the technologies real-time, ensuring everything runs efficiently. The system can adapt to changing conditions and user preferences, making sure the building is always performing at its best.
Value proposition
Lower energy use and costs
Less heat loss and cleaner electricity generation. BIPV and aBMS can cut utility bills significantly with modest upfront investment.
Increased property value
Buildings equipped with sustainable features such as smart windows, PV panels, and advanced aBMS are often perceived as more valuable in the real estate market. These features enhance the building's energy efficiency and appeal to environmentally conscious buyers or tenants, potentially leading to higher property values.
Increased indoor comfort
Smart windows regulate natural light and heat, maintaining optimal temperature and lighting for greater comfort and productivity. aBMS ensures precise environmental control, promoting a healthy, pleasant living space.
Easy maintenance and durability
Smart windows and aBMS provide real-time monitoring, allowing building managers to track energy use, air quality, and system performance. This enables quick issue resolution and boosts efficiency. Predictive maintenance extends equipment life and reduces repair costs.
Minimal disruption during installation
Smart windows can be retrofitted without requiring major structural changes, which limits the extent of construction work and reduces disturbance to occupants. Also PV panels are often installed on existing roofs without significant modifications to the building's structure. aBMS implementation generally involves integrating new control systems with the existing infrastructure, avoiding extensive modifications.
Revenue generation
Buildings with PV panels and aBMS can join smart grids and sell excess energy to Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), earning credits via net metering or feed-in tariffs. Dynamic load management through aBMS also lets buildings participate in demand response programs, easing grid pressure during peak times. Photovoltaic panels also enable on-site EV charging.
Autonomous installation
Photovoltaic panels can be installed or modified without full approval from the homeowners' board if they are mounted on top of the existing roof. Integrated panels requiring roof renovation still need unanimous consent.
Financing and costs
From an economic point of view, the main costs come from the initial installation of both windows and PV together with the maintenance and monitoring services over time. Customers can be grouped by income, having different financial means.
- Owners with higher incomes can pay for energy upgrades themselves and start saving on their bills right away.
- Another option is for outside investors, like Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) or utility companies, to help cover the upfront costs. In this case, owners keep paying their normal energy bills, sometimes with an added fee, while the third party uses the savings to get back their investment and make a profit. Utilities often give better financing deals than ESCOs because it helps them keep their customers.
Interested in knowing more about this business model? Read the report Stakeholder-centred value propositions and business models.
Renewable Energy Communities
A Renewable Energy Community (REC) is a legally recognized group, where people, businesses, and organizations come together to make, share, and use renewable energy locally.
RECs make it possible for different people to share energy, even if they live in separate apartments or buildings. If one person in the group sends power to the grid and someone else uses power at the same time, both can benefit and save money.
This model is especially useful for apartment buildings, where there isn’t much space on the roof but sharing solar energy can make the electricity from photovoltaic panels more valuable and cost-effective.
There are several benefits:
- Cost savings: Collective housing users can cut energy bills by 20-30% through shared renewable generation and consumption.
- Energy resilience: RECs lower reliance on fluctuating grid prices and improve local energy security.
- Environmental impact: Using renewables reduces emissions and carbon footprint.
- Community engagement: RECs promote sustainable behaviours by encouraging collective action and awareness.
- Regulatory alignment: EU governments provide incentives to support RECs, making them more financially attractive.
- Enhanced property value: Participation in RECs may raise property values and speed up sales or rentals.
Main challenges include:
- Upfront investment: Initial costs for equipment and legal setup can be high, though third-party financing helps.
- Administrative hurdles: Varying regulations across regions complicate REC implementation.
- Legal complexity: Creating a REC requires formal agreements, which can be difficult with multiple owners.
- Technical expertise: Running a REC needs knowledge in energy systems and management.
- Maintenance and management: Ongoing system upkeep and community energy administration require resources.
- Participation: Maintaining fair involvement and benefit distribution within communities is challenging.
