Number of participants
Chapter 4: Analysis and Findings Barriers to Adoption
4.2 Thematic Analysis: Barrier Themes Identified
4.2.2 Design
4.2.2.2 Technological Complexities and Limitations
“Still I want to get the same power, less cost. I don't even think about it (if affects my design.) because I will design my house as I want.” - R41CU
“I know they look…really it doesn‟t matter, as long as I can see out or…we have walls that don‟t have windows on it, so it doesn‟t bother me.” - R59CE
This limitation relates to frameless solar panels; unlike solar panels with frames which protect the panel edges, and hence the encapsulant. On another note, one PV specialist mentioned that a specific solar PV type, organic PV, has a high tendency to degrade when exposed (R21PVE).
“Organic PV…degrades fast, like in a minute, so it needs a good encapsulation to prevent interaction with water which introduces more reactions.” - R21PVE
Apart from the material composition, the output of a solar panel was another area of concern. As expected, there were concerns about the efficiency of solar PV; some comments note that this is worsened when shaded possibly by other buildings, and thus the need to keep the panels from shading (R32OCE). Another one participant mentioned that it is impossible to confirm the rated output of a solar panel on the panel data sheet at the point of purchase (R19PVE). To some extent, therefore, there may be challenges or variations in reaching the expected or exact total power output.
Considering the grid connection of solar PV in general, those who commented on this mentioned that both off-grid and on-grid systems have challenges. In an off-grid scenario, excess power may be produced from the panels, which requires careful maintenance (R34OCE). Additionally, the needed battery space is more critical since there is no grid supplement and thus consideration must also be given to battery selection, inspection and replacement (R34OCE, R35OC), as outlined,
“For example, the batteries, they say they are maintenance free but it needs to be inspected, a space needs to be provided and proper selection is needed.” - R34OCE
“You need to store it, so you need batteries and for batteries you need to maintain it, you need to replace it.” - R35OCE
In an on-grid scenario, excess power may also have a negative impact on the grid if not well handled (R29OCE). This also requires technical expertise to cater for a
resolution of actual and reactive power (R25PVE). Also, both scenarios, require the DC power generated by the solar panels to be converted to AC by an inverter, which has its own complications (R25PVE).
“If there's a problem in the load, it will feedback to them. This building (with BIPV) will create problem to their grid. They have to protect their grid.” - R29OCE
“…so we need the inverters. So we have to control them properly. When we do the control using some devices – we have power electronic converters – it again creates problems. And this is the problem.” - R25PVE
From a building design point of view, although there are available design tools for utility-scale PV design, some participants mentioned that they have limited flexibility when building integration is considered (R09ARE). Furthermore, it was mentioned that PV panels also do not fit with some building forms and shapes (R17ARE)
“First, some forms or shapes of the building it's not matching with the way of installing PV.” - R17ARE
In other cases, where BIPV is applied, a conflict may arise when consumers expand their consumption (R24PVU). For instance,
“If you cannot see it and the consumption become higher…then he had one TV and he‟s going to have two TVs maybe next year, or if he has the money he has two ACs in his room next year, then his consumption will be more. Then he will come back to me and say listen your company did not do good because it‟s not generating electricity.” - R24PVU
This opinion was raised to imply that as, for instance, the consumer‘s needs increase annually, energy consumption would also increase, and therefore the PV output needs to be increased by increasing the number or type of panels. It may be argued in other cases that once the solar panels are integrated into the envelope, this replacement may be rather laborious and inconvenient. To support this, one participant did mention
that in marketing solar PV, customers tend to have more interest in options with less intrusion (R65PMI).
Finally, participants had mentioned that because BIPV is a new technology and so, it is usually considered as a strange design option (R10ARE, R11ARE).
“By the way, any new technology is not easy to apply straight away.” - R10ARE One professional observed that it will simply take time to maximize its benefits. He added that clients will tend to ask more questions out of fear which generally creates more “headaches” for the consultant during the design process (R11ARE).
“Actually, it's a strange idea. It could open new doors for the clients or new door for questions for the client, and then new headache for the consultant.” - R11ARE
b) Non-Technical Participants‘ Opinions
Comments from one participant from the Client-UAE Citizen group and one from the Developer group showed some of their concerns in this technological aspect.
As earlier mentioned by technical stakeholders, BIPV was also considered a new technology by several non-technical stakeholders (R38CU; R39CU; R40CU; R42CU;
R47CE; R50CE).
“This is something new, maybe in the past 10 years or I don't know how many years but it's something new.” - R42CU
“…and people think that it is not effective…if it is a new thing, they are already against it.” - . R37CU
“People don‟t want to try new things especially when it‟s expensive.” - R46CE Due to limited efficiency and other issues, people are not keen to take the effort to learn more about the technology (R68D). In addition, shading caused by nearby buildings was also raised as a potential challenge.
“I think the exposure of the surface to solar light might be a problem in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. When you have buildings like this nearby, and you have the sun
traversing like this, okay, this area might be useful. Here, here, here…. The catchment, actually the word is catchment. The catchment area might be a problem.”
- R68D
Concerning the speed at which new and better PV technology is developed, it was suggested that although this is good, older technologies quickly become obsolete (R68D). One participant with some technical knowledge suggested that there are potentially issues with grid connection and the impact on conventional utility grid which technical participants alluded to. Specifically, it was mentioned that the regulations for solar PV to grid connection are young and so possible backflow of current could lead to electrical dangers during servicing (R68D). This does agree with the technical participants‘ perspective on the issue.
“For example, there's a Shell substation here, and they want to repair it. They will shut down the power…Like there's no power in the grid; your current will start flowing into the grid. If there is some maintenance somewhere, someone might be electrocuted, so you don't want all that.” - R68D
An added issue of unconfirmed reliability of PV products was also raised. In a project, BIPV products from India and China were cheaper than those from Europe, but the reliability was uncertain (R68D). One client also raised concern over the uncertainty of power after sunset and the concern that the power stored would last only a few hours (R43CU). This comment relates specifically to off-grid scenarios were batteries are needed to store power.