IEA PVPS calls for new design standards for integrated solar PV

The International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA PVPS) has released a report stating that conventional design assumptions for ground-mounted solar PV are insufficient for newer applications. As solar deployment expands into building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), floating photovoltaics (FPV), and agrivoltaics (AV), the organization calls for application-specific technical, economic, and environmental standards.

According to the report, ‘Optimisation of Photovoltaic Systems for Different Applications’, integrated systems face unique thermal behaviors, irradiance conditions, and mechanical loads. Relying on standard ground-mounted models can lead to inaccurate energy-yield estimates, unsuitable component selection, and higher degradation rates. The report emphasizes that design must account for durability, safety, and stakeholder acceptance alongside electricity generation.

A case study of the Flakkebjerg agrivoltaic test site in Denmark was highlighted, involving a 998 kW system using bifacial PERC modules on single-axis trackers. The study noted specific challenges, such as crop height interacting with tracker tilt angles.