BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic) Safety Hazards Analysis and Prevention

Integrated house project photovoltaic panels and racking used in BIPV projects

With the current common and application of solar photovoltaic industry, more shopping malls centers, public buildings, such as hospitals and schools, have begun to use BIPV to reduce the dependence on electricity, for Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) technology integrates photovoltaic systems into building structures, such as rooftops, curtain walls, etc., which is an innovative green building technology.

Although BIPV can help to improve building sustainability and reduce energy consumption, there may be certain safety hazards in its design, construction, operation and maintenance, etc. Brice Solar will discuss the main safety hazards of BIPV and propose corresponding preventive measures, taking into account the characteristics of BIPV technology and actual cases.

I. Main Safety Hazards

1. Structural safety risks

As part of the building structure, PV modules of BIPV systems must withstand external forces such as self-weight, wind load and snow load. If the design is improper or the construction is not standardized, it may lead to structural safety problems.

Load overload: The self-weight of the PV modules and the external loads (wind, snow) require the building structure to have sufficient load-bearing capacity. Insufficient structural strength of the roof or walls may lead to roof collapse or curtain wall deformation.

Insufficient wind uncovering resistance: In extreme weather conditions, such as strong winds or typhoons, PV modules may fall off due to insecure installation, causing damage to the building or injury to personnel. Therefore, the construction must be fixed and reinforced in strict accordance with the design standards.

Module installation deviation: Angular deviation or poor fixing during construction will affect the efficiency of the BIPV system and may even lead to system failure or structural instability.

2. Electrical Safety Hazards

BIPV system involves high voltage DC and complex electrical connections, electrical safety hazards should not be ignored.

Leakage and short-circuit: Due to problems such as soldering of junction boxes, aging of cables and failure of insulation, PV systems may experience leakage, which in extreme cases may lead to electric shocks or fires.

Fire risk: PV modules may be overheated locally (e.g., by bird droppings or shading) and trigger a hot spot effect, which can lead to a fire. In addition, internal short circuits in junction boxes or inverter failures are common fire hazards.

Battery and storage system hazards: In some BIPV projects, PV systems are used in combination with energy storage devices (e.g., lithium batteries), which can lead to fires or explosions if the batteries become aged, damaged or overcharged.

3. Waterproof sealing

When PV modules are integrated into the surface of a building, improper design and construction of the waterproof layer may lead to water seepage and corrosion.

Water seepage and corrosion: If the roof or wall waterproof layer is not properly constructed (e.g., poor sealing), rainwater may penetrate into the building interior, and the long-term accumulation of water will damage the structure and affect the safety of electrical equipment.

Module edge sealing failure: The sealing materials at the joints between the PV module and the building are susceptible to aging and cracking when exposed to temperature changes for a long period of time, leading to moisture infiltration and damage to the electrical system.

4. Risks during construction

The installation of BIPV system involves working at height, and the safety hazards during the construction process also need special attention.

Work-at-height hazards: When installing PV modules on the roof, falling accidents may occur if the protective measures are insufficient.

Installation quality is not standardized: during the construction process, if the installation does not meet the standards, the angle of the module deviates from the design requirements or is not fixed securely, it will affect the stability and safety of the system.

5. Material and module defects

The quality and material characteristics of PV modules directly affect the long-term operation safety of BIPV system.

Faulty junction box: The presence of false welding, poor sealing or poor crimping of wire clips in the junction box may lead to electrical faults or even fire.

Component durability problems: some BIPV products in high temperature or humid environments may appear glass rupture, backplane delamination and other problems, affecting the stability of the system and building safety.

6. Insufficient protection against natural disasters

The impact of extreme weather on BIPV systems cannot be ignored, and the design needs to consider the climate characteristics of different regions.

Inadequate design for wind and snow resistance: In areas with a lot of snow, if the support design is not strengthened, the PV modules may be damaged due to snow or wind damage.

Inadequate windproof design: especially in coastal or typhoon-prone areas, the fixing method of PV modules needs to be strictly strengthened to avoid wind-mortgage accidents.

II. Typical Cases and Improvement Measures

BIPV Project in Longguan Township, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

This BIPV project effectively avoids the potential risks of traditional external mounting and ensures the safety and stability of the system by integrating the PV modules as building components, while designing fireproofing, waterproofing and wind-disclosure resistance features.

Junction box failure cases

Such as some power stations due to poor sealing of the junction box led to short-circuit burns, later by replacing the components with higher waterproof grade and strengthening regular inspections, the failure rate has been significantly reduced.

Ⅲ.Risk Prevention Suggestions

1. Design stage

Introduce structural simulation and wind tunnel testing to ensure that the BIPV system can withstand the region's unique climatic conditions, and optimize the design of wind and snow resistance.

2. Construction phase

Strictly control the construction standards, especially in waterproofing and electrical safety, to ensure that the construction quality complies with the standards.

3. Operation and Maintenance

Establish a full life-cycle operation and maintenance monitoring system, carry out regular inspections and maintenance, and promptly find and solve potential safety hazards to ensure the long-term stable operation of the system.

BIPV project where panel supports are being installed

Summary

As an innovative green building technology, BIPV system can effectively improve the sustainability and energy self-sufficiency of buildings. However, high attention must be paid to possible safety hazards during design, construction and operation and maintenance. It is only through strict design, construction and maintenance standards, combined with advanced monitoring and testing technologies, that the safety risks of BIPV systems can be minimized and their stable and safe operation ensured.

To learn more about solutions to improve safety risks in BIPV systems, you can also contact us to provide you with a more relevant analysis of safety risks in BIPV systems.