This report presents an analysis of current test methods that can be applied to Solar Building Envelope (SBE) technologies. Relevant standards for construction products, solar thermal collectors, photovoltaics, daylighting systems, ventilation devices and heat pumps are selected and assessed. The selection includes the most important standards for fire protection as applied to SBE technologies. For each standard, the report assesses its applicability to SBE technologies. At the end, recommendations are presented on how current standards and regulations could be improved to prepare the ground for a wider adoption of SBE systems.

Task 56 is part of the Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (SHC) of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Within Task 56, Subtask B aims to develop tools and strategies to foster the market penetration for industrialised solar envelope systems. This report outlines strategies for stakeholders of solar building envelopes (SBE) in order to deal with some of the market barriers that have been identified in a previous report (DB.1). The current report focuses on strategies for SBE manufacturers but includes strategies for other SBE stakeholders such as policy makers, architects, building owners and industry associations. In section 2, strategies are discussed to enhance the commercial success of SBE technologies in the current market situation. Section 3 then discusses strategies with regard to future changes in legal frameworks and boundary conditions. A summary of the proposed strategies is presented at the end.

Building Integrated Solar Envelope (BISE) technologies face a number barriers despite their potential (see Deliverable DB1 of the IEA SHC Task 56 for a detailed description of barriers). BISE technologies have a highly innovative character and often require that different professional disciplines interact closely in the manufacturing, installation and operation phases. For example, the implementation of solar thermal venetian blinds forces novel interactions between a façade manufacturer and a HVAC designer during the design and installation phases, which implies the need of new procedures and costs. The need to develop new know-how in a wide range of topics hinders the development of new technologies.

This report presents a review about simulation models of building integrated solar envelopes. The models can be used to predict the performance of a building integrated solar envelope for a specific case. Such cases include a building, a technical building plant and a location and climate. The performance of a building integrated solar envelope depends on the case. Therefore, it is very important for building projects that the performance of a building integrated solar envelope can be predicted easily and accurately.

This report is a result of extensive discussions within Task 56 of the Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (SHC) of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Innovative solar envelope technologies face multiple barriers, which prevent some of these innovations from contributing significantly against climate change. This report presents the barriers that the experts of Task 56 are aware of so that developers of integrated solar envelope systems could benefit of, at an early stage of their planning phase.