9727268 Keoleian Conventional electricity generating systems based on fossil and nuclear fuels are not sustainable because of the finite nature of these fuels and the environmental impacts related to their use. Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are rapidly emerging as an important application of a renewable energy technology. BIPV systems are an integral part of the building envelope and thus serve multiple functions including weather protection, structural, aesthetic, and electricity generation. Despite the inherent advantages of BIPV in roofing and facade applications, they are currently limited by economic decision-making that ignores social benefits and costs. A comprehensive assessment of the full energy, environmental and economic benefits of BIPV systems has not yet been conducted. The purpose of the proposed project is to develop a life cycle design model and computer software tool (the Photovoltaic Building Integrated Design and Policy Assessment Tool, PV-BIDPAT) for evaluating the full benefits and costs of BIPV technology relative to conventional electricity generating systems and the building materials that they displace. PV-BIDPAT will enhance the design, planning, and policy making capabilities of key stakeholders who influence the future implementation of BIPV technology. Life cycle inventory models for BIPV and functionally equivalent conventional systems will serve as a foundation for comparative energy, environmental, and economic assessments. The inventory component of PV-BIDPAT will consist of a set of modules representing a variety of BIPV technologies (amorphous silicon, crystalline, polycrystalline, CdTe, for example) and another set of modules for characterizing the displaced building materials (fiberglass asphalt shingles, galvanized metal roofing). The inventory model will be coupled with a life cycle cost model comprising economic and policy modules that will account for the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PU RPA), current Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rules, and existing and proposed emissions allowance trading systems. The cost model will assign monetary values to social costs from pollutant emissions and environmental damage associated with electricity generation. PV-BIDPAT will compute the following metrics: pollution prevention factors for air pollutant emissions, water pollutant effluents and solid waste; energy payback time and electricity production efficiency; life cycle costs including social costs. Life cycle inventory model parameters will be measured for amorphous silicon BIPV products, using data collected from United Solar, and for the displaced fiberglass asphalt shingles and standing seam metal roofing materials. PV-BIDPAT will be applied to and tested on two existing sites (South Face Energy Institute - PV shingle in Atlanta, Georgia and the National Association of Home Builders, National Research Home Park 21st Century Townhouses - PV standing seam metal roof in Bowie, Maryland) and three proposed installations (Dana Building of the School of Natural Resources and Environment - new roof for building renovation, Art and Architecture Building - PV shingle demo, Nichols Arboretum Urban Environmental Education Center historic structure relocation and renovation). The results from these cases and other simulations will highlight the advantages of amorphous silicon BIPV for different policy and economic scenarios. This interdisciplinary research project will be undertaken by a University of Michigan team from the National Pollution Prevention Center, the School of Natural Resources and Environment, and the School of Architecture and Urban Planning that will bring together expertise in life cycle design and assessment, PV technology, building design, environmental economics and energy policy. This team will collaborate with United Solar and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and a multi-stakeholder Advisory Committee. ***
