Does anyone have an example CSI 3-Part technical Specification for Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Panel Systems that includes information about testing and commissioning for an international that you can share?
Would much appreciate any example specifications as a starting point.
Thanks All,
Good morning Gail,
Please look to this location for a starter.
http://www.wbdg.org/ffc/va/va-master-specifications-pg-18-1?page=4
Thank you much Wayne.
It’s interesting that 4specs.com lists it here: 07 0700 - Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems and that 2016 MasterFormat lists an entry here:
26 31 00 Photovoltaic Collectors and ALSO has a broad-scope section: 48 00 00 Electrical Power Generation. It makes sense that the VA would have a spec section: “48 14 00 Solar Energy Electrical Power Generation System” to another entry in MasterFormat.
Nonetheless, most BIPV’s are within one of the glazing systems, so it adds complexity.
It’s interesting that there seems to be a dearth of guide spec info for this topic. You would think there would be a preponderance.
If anyone else has ideas, especially those that incorporate international electrical standards, I’d appreciate it much.
Thanks All,
Maybe this is something that would require the input of an electrical engineer.
Putting them in DIV 07 puts their role as a component of the building envelope first, while putting them in DIV 26 puts their role as a component of the building electrical system first, and DIV 48, as a component of a power generating system.
If they are a true component of the building envelope, like Tesla’s roof shingles, they should be in DIV 07. If the are redundant to the building envelope, I would put them in DIV 26. Putting them in DIV 48 seems a little show-offy to me.
Steven, specifiers have to show off once in awhile to break up the well-loved tedium. The question is, who would notice if we did?
Seriously, though, the Division 48 designations for “solar energy electrical power generation equipment” seem dead-on for this. Where would you classify them in Division 26?
David, my outdated hard copy of Masterspec Section Names includes 26 31 00 - Photovoltaic Collectors.
My architectural MasterSpec license gives me 2015 PDF copies of the Section in Outline and Full Length formats.
By fancy I was thinking of pros and cons of placing them beyond Site Work Divisions in the TOC well past where many an owner or contractor may stop looking. Though in looking myself, I found 04 12 00 - Nuclear Fuel Plant Electrical Power Generation Equipment. That is interesting. Can I have that in Outline format?
Just pick a Division and Section #-title and go with it. It is in the specifications somewhere.
Thanks David.
NEAT EH?
If the BIPVs are integrated into IGUs, it makes the most sense to place them in the 088000 region as an independent section; the section can refer to 088000 for many installation products and methods. The fabricators must be glazing fabricators to assemble the units, and the installers must be glazing installers to handle the units on site. Each glazing unit will have electrical wire leads that must be routed through the fenestration framing to tie into the PV system. All wiring from this connection point, along with converters, batteries, etc. belong in a Division 26 section. There will be a range of possible glass product selections for the IGUs themselves. We worked on a guide specification for a manufacturer several years ago, but they abandoned the line (and the document does not belong to us).
Thank you Phil, I agree with you.
Most of the BIPVs that we specify occur within glass. However, it touches a number of sections including Division 26 Electrical and 48 1400 Solar Energy Electrical Power Generation System. The whole reason that we include BIPVs in our designs is to generate power. I am amazed at how little guide spec resource info is out there for this important topic.
I appreciate everyone’s input. However, if there is someone that has a real good reference spec that you can share, I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks all,