Large-scale building-integrated photovoltaics installation on building façades: Hourly resolution analysis using commercial building stock in Tokyo, Japan

Abstract

The installation of photovoltaic (PV) modules is one of the most effective measures for decarbonizing urban building stock. The considerable potential of the process has been demonstrated using building-integrated PV (BIPV) modules. Earlier studies have provided significant knowledge about the PV potential of buildings, but a detailed investigation of the large-scale installation of BIPV modules on building façades has not been undertaken. In the present study, a model for estimating the hourly PV potential of building surfaces on a regional scale was developed and applied to commercial building stock in Tokyo, Japan. Analytical results showed that the generated PV power would be capable of satisfying 15%–48% of the annual electricity demand of the building stock in 2050, based on the extent to which the PV potential of building surfaces, especially façades, was exploited. This demonstrates the usefulness of BIPV for achieving a decarbonized society. Additionally, hourly estimation results showed that, if a higher economic efficiency is pursued, the use of large-scale installation of BIPV together with rooftop-mounted PV could increase the PV power generation without altering the hourly PV power fluctuation. However, electricity demand and generation analyses revealed the negative impacts of the larger-scale BIPV installation on the power system: The reduction in asset utilization and the increase in the need for flexibility. The findings of this study promise to be useful to policymakers in formulating guidelines for the use of BIPV modules.