Planning Support

We support our customers in the planning of façade technologies such as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), windows and sun protection. We also offer know-how and expertise in all aspects of building regulations for PV systems and the topic of "glass as a constructive material".

Planning and simulation of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and façade systems

For many years, we have been developing digital tools for the planning and simulation of BIPV and façade systems. The simulation of BIPV systems includes, for example, technical design as well as yield and economic analyses. We support the design of façades through visualization and simulation, especially in the form of glare analysis. We participate in the planning of construction projects and are responsible for clarifying technical issues and obstacles. One of our main areas of focus is the analysis of construction processes. In doing so, we also deal with the trades (players, roles) and their interfaces, as well as the constructive sub-processes and their structured sequence in each performance phase.

Services for architects, planning offices and local authorities

Our services are aimed at building owners and architects, planners and institutional property owners who want to make the best possible use of the BIPV potential of their new or existing buildings.

Our R&D Services on the Topic "Planning Support" Include:

• BIPV Yield Analysis
• BIPV and Listed Buildings
• Glare Analysis
• Construction Planning and Processes

We support the planning of building-integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV) with well-founded yield analyses – from solar radiation to electricity yield and the economic efficiency of the system. To do this, we simulate solar radiation over the course of the year – if necessary, down to the individual solar cell of each module. This allows us to estimate which areas are particularly cost-effective to use and where there are high demands on the electrical design due to partial shading. In the further planning process, we simulate the DC and AC yield and derive concepts for the electrical wiring of the cells and the PV modules, including the inverter design. By means of detailed analysis with self-developed software tools based on validated ray tracing solutions such as radiance, we achieve reliable solutions even under complex irradiation and wiring conditions.

We support institutions for the monument preservation, owners of listed buildings, architects and manufacturers of corresponding products in finding and developing BIPV solutions that are suitable for listed buildings. Our goal is to reconcile the use of PV with the requirements of listed building preservation. To this end, we provide advice based on scientific methods on questions of the current design of technical solutions and on issues related to building regulations. We also share our knowledge to minimize the impact on the building fabric and maximize solar yield. 

Our expertise and the equipment in our optical laboratory enable us to make a well-founded assessment of the glare potential of façade technologies, based on the reflection and transmission behavior and the material properties of the façade. Our goniophotometer PGII from pab can measure high-resolution, so-called "bidirectional scattering distribution functions" (BSDFs), which can be used in a suitable format for photometric ray tracing simulations to visualize and evaluate glare situations. In addition, we identify critical regions around PV installations ("glare hotspots") and prepare well-founded glare reports. Our scientific studies, including user surveys and test person studies, deepen the understanding of glare phenomena in the field of research. We share our knowledge in workshops and also provide support in the development of new technologies for glare reduction.

We analyze and improve construction planning processes in the context of the functionalization of building envelopes. In doing so, we focus on improving processes, on the clear distribution of responsibilities  and the interface between trades. We deal with legal framework conditions as well as the simplification of planning processes. Automation and digitization are central elements of our solutions. We develop methods and software-based tools to accelerate construction (planning) processes, reduce their costs and lower the hurdles for construction projects.

Important areas of application include the energy-efficient renovation of the building envelope and the functionalization of the building envelope with heat pumps and/or building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).

Our current projects and references include the BIPV Initiative Baden-Württemberg, the SolarEnvelopeCenter and the Fraunhofer lead topic BAU-DNS.