As part of the "Energy Strategy 2050" and the current "Energy Transition 2050", large quantities of additional PV production amounting to approx. 40 TWh (BFE/ BFH-TI) are required. These are mainly the roofs, but also facades. Facades have the advantage that energy production is better and differently distributed over the day and year than with rooftop systems. In principle, high PV facades over 30 m high are not eligible for approval because the PV modules do not comply with the highest fire prevention class RF1 (résistance du feu). The fire brigade can no longer intervene operationally above 30 m. However, tall PV facades have large areas and would therefore be particularly interesting. To solve this challenge, the Bernese building insurance company GVB has commissioned an interdisciplinary working group to develop a pragmatic solution. This solution was to be demonstrated as part of the renovation of two 70 m high buildings of the FAMBAU cooperative in Bern-West.
A guideline for the proof of fire prevention for high PV facades (>30m) was developed in an interdisciplinary working group. The draft of the guide was presented at two workshops in 2023 with around 100 participants from the construction industry. The technical details were demonstrated in an excursion to the PV façade at the renovation of the high-rise building Holenacker 65. The guideline was completed, also thanks to the additional effort of the GVB fire prevention team. It was graphically designed and finished in a French version. At the end of 2023, following public pressure, Swissolar presented a "transition paper" based on the GVB guidelines. This was then withdrawn in favour of the "Swissolar transition paper". Swissolar now wants to develop a "state of the art" paper.
Parallel to the guidelines, the PV façade of the Holenacker 65 high-rise building was completed. The tape acceptance took place on August 23, 2023. The scaffolding of Holenacker 65 was dismantled and rebuilt at the 2nd high-rise Holenacker 85. The 2nd PV façade will be built there in 2024/2025. The focus is now on the "monitoring and service of high PV façades. Various monitoring methods are used at Holenacker 65. On August 13, 2024, monitoring was carried out with a drone and an IR camera.
The members of the working group are active in various events on the topic. This is intended to increase confidence in the feasibility of PV facades. There is a lot of catching up to do with PV façades or, to put it positively, great potential for the future. However, raising this is not only a question of solved fire protection.