Ballarat University

This project was undertaken at Ballarat University, SMB Campus in July 2005 – December 2006 for the client H.Troon (Builders) for Ballarat University. The main project goal was to design and install a vertical north facing 8.4kWp BIPV façade on a new educational building.

At the time of installation this was the largest vertical north-facing BIPV façade in Australia, covering a total of 200m2. Schott Solar’s ASI-glass product was used in place of regular glazing providing photovoltaic as well as thermal properties, being double-glazed and with the ability to block solar radiation from entering the building. Consequently, a 40% reduction in air conditioning plant size was achieved by using ASI-glass, whilst also producing 7.3MWh of energy annually. The glass allows 10% of light to pass through, enabling excellent visibility and connection to the environment.

Vertical installation, whilst sub-optimal for solar production, only suffers 37% reduction in energy yield when compared to an optimally inclined system. However, a façade orientated at 30° from the horizontal would have been impractical. A vertical façade proved simpler and cheaper for building design and construction. The amorphous silicon technology used produces energy even from indirect light, making the panels more tolerant of vertical inclination than their crystalline silicone equivalents.

Avoiding and adapting to shade proved to be the greatest challenge in system design as a small amount of shade can cause a whole solar system to cease production. Great care was taken avoiding protrusion of the panels’ frame, to ensure that the panels were not shaded when the sun was high in the sky. The effects upon system performance of unavoidable shade from trees, power poles, and the entrance canopy was minimised through system design and use of amorphous silicon technology, which produces energy even when partially shaded. A data monitoring system collects the performance data and transmits it to a custom-built interpretive display in the entrance foyer.

This project won the 2007 BCSE* award for Excellence in Designing and Installing a Grid-Connect Photovoltaic Energy System over 5kW.

Project Team:

§ Warwick Johnston, Senior Project Engineer, Going Solar

§ Bruno Imeneo, McIldowie Partners Architects

§ Steve Cook, Accredited Installer

§ Jo Bradley, Administration Manager, Going Solar