Strengthening the EU PV Sector by cooperation with important stakeholders

Duration: 2007 – 2010 ● Client: European Commission (FP6) ● WIP Role: Market uptake, Dissemination and Communication ● www.pvsunrise.eu

The SUNRISE project aimed at enhancing co-operation between the building sector, architects, electrical installers and utilities to facilitate the uptake of building integrated PV and network integration. The project focused into two main working groups: PV Diffusion in the building sector and PV Network Integration.

PV Diffusion in the building sector: Most homes in Europe are customized and not pre-fabricated. PV systems can therefore easily be integrated into the building envelope, thus – in many cases – offering an alternative to many traditional construction materials (e.g. roofing tiles and materials for building façades). Building integrated PV modules not only generate electricity but also act as part of the building itself. This working group was focused on improving co-operation between the PV sector and the building sector.

PV Network Integration: The integration of PV into the European electricity supply represents a real opportunity for both utilities and the PV Industry. The SUNRISE project has investigated PV integration into the network to find a balance between centralised and decentralised generation, keeping in mind grid stability and system control. This working group focused on the contribution of solar electricity to peak power supply and the role of solar electricity in marketing campaigns. Technical regulations for PV grid-connection have been also analysed.

The partners of the SUNRISE project consortium were:

• EPIA, European Photovoltaic Industry Association, Belgium (Coordinator)
• WIP – Renewable Energies, Germany
• FIEC, European Construction Industry Federation, Belgium
• AIE, European Association of Electrical Contractors, Belgium
• UIA, International Union of Architects, France

The SUNRISE project was supported by the European Commission in the FP6 Programme.