IEC 63092-1:2020

Photovoltaics in buildings - Part 1: Requirements for building-integrated photovoltaic modules

IEC 63092-1:2020 specifies BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaic) module requirements and applies to photovoltaic modules used as building products. It focuses on the properties of these photovoltaic modules relevant to basic building requirements and the applicable electro-technical requirements. This document addresses requirements on the BIPV modules in the specific ways they are intended to be mounted but not the mounting structure itself, which is within the scope of IEC 63092-2. This document is based on EN 50583-1.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Sep-2020
• ICS: 27.160 - Solar energy engineering
• Technical Committee: TC 82 - Solar photovoltaic energy systems
• Drafting Committee: PT 63092 - TC 82/PT 63092
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 29-Sep-2020
• Completion Date: 16-Oct-2020

Overview

IEC 63092-1:2020 - Photovoltaics in buildings, Part 1 specifies requirements for building‑integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules used as building products. It focuses on the properties of PV modules that are relevant to basic building requirements (mechanical resistance, fire safety, hygiene/health, usability, noise protection, energy performance, sustainable resource use) and on applicable electro‑technical requirements. IEC 63092-1 applies to BIPV modules in the ways they are intended to be mounted (not the mounting structure - see IEC 63092-2) and is based on EN 50583‑1. Concentrating PV modules are excluded.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Application categories and intended mounting - defines how different BIPV modules are classified depending on their use (roof, façade, glazing, etc.).
• Electro‑technical requirements - references PV module design, safety and testing frameworks (linked to IEC 61215 series, IEC 61730) for electrical performance and safety.
• Building‑related requirements - covers mechanical resistance, impact/post‑breakage integrity, thermal and optical properties, fire considerations and durability for modules:
  • Specific provisions for modules with at least one glass pane (see normative Annex A).
  • Requirements for modules without glass panes (polymer waterproofing sheets, metal sheets).
• Labelling and documentation - mandatory data sheet content, declaration of performance and product information for safe installation and regulatory compliance.
• Modifications and re‑test guidance - rules for when product changes require retesting or partial requalification.
• Normative references - integrates relevant IEC and ISO standards (IEC 61215, IEC 61730, IEC 63092‑2, ISO 12543 series, ISO thermal and glazing standards).

Practical applications

IEC 63092-1 is used when PV modules are intended to form part of the building envelope:

• Integrated rooftop panels, solar façades, photovoltaic glazing and skylights.
• Projects requiring both building product compliance and PV performance (energy‑efficient buildings, net‑zero designs).
• Product development and type‑approval of BIPV modules to meet building codes and electrical safety rules.

Who should use this standard

• Manufacturers developing BIPV modules and materials
• Architects and building designers specifying PV as a building product
• System planners and installers ensuring correct module selection and documentation
• Testing laboratories and certification bodies performing type tests and safety qualification
• Building authorities and regulators assessing compliance with building product requirements

Related standards (selection)

• IEC 61215 series (PV module design qualification)
• IEC 61730 (PV module safety requirements)
• IEC 63092-2 (BIPV system and mounting structure requirements)
• ISO 12543 series (laminated glass)
• EN 50583-1 (basis for this document)

Keywords: IEC 63092-1, BIPV, building‑integrated photovoltaic modules, photovoltaic modules, building product requirements, electro‑technical requirements, BIPV labelling, PV module standards.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 63092-1 ®
Edition 1.0 2020-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
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inside
Photovoltaics in buildings –
Part 1: Requirements for building-integrated photovoltaic modules
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IEC 63092-1 ®
Edition 1.0 2020-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Photovoltaics in buildings –
Part 1: Requirements for building-integrated photovoltaic modules

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 27.160 ISBN 978-2-8322-8875-7

– 2 – IEC 63092-1:2020 © IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Application categories . 10
5 Requirements . 11
5.1 Electrotechnical requirements . 11
5.2 Building-related requirements . 12
5.2.1 General . 12
5.2.2 Requirements for products with at least one glass pane . 12
5.2.3 Requirements for products without glass panes . 16
6 Labelling . 19
7 Documentation and declaration of performance . 19
7.1 Data sheet . 19
7.2 Further documentation . 19
8 Modifications (re-test guideline) . 19
Annex A (normative) Building-related requirements on BIPV modules with at least one
glass pane . 20
A.1 General . 20
A.2 Mechanical requirements . 20
A.2.1 Structural design of insulating glass units containing a PV device . 20
A.2.2 Rigidity of laminated glass containing a PV device: . 20
A.2.3 BIPV modules and post-breakage integrity . 21
Bibliography . 22

Figure 1 – Tilt angles of modules considered sloping and non-sloping . 8
Figure 2 – Example of optically representative area of a crystalline silicon-based (top)
and a thin-film (bottom) BIPV module for the calculation method based on spectral
measurements . 10

Table 1 – Application categories . 11
Table 2 – Summary of the building-related requirements from IEC 63092-1 for BIPV
modules with at least one glass pane . 16
Table 3 – Summary of the building-related requirements from IEC 63092-1 for BIPV
modules based on polymer waterproofing sheet or metal sheet. 18

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
PHOTOVOLTAICS IN BUILDINGS –
Part 1: Requirements for building-integrated photovoltaic modules

FOREWORD
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rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 63092-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 82: Solar
photovoltaic energy systems, in collaboration with ISO technical committee 160: Glass in
building.
This standard is based on EN 50583-1.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
82/1769/FDIS 82/1792/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 63092 series, published under the general title Photovoltaics in
buildings, can be found on the IEC website.

– 4 – IEC 63092-1:2020 © IEC 2020
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
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the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
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PHOTOVOLTAICS IN BUILDINGS –
Part 1: Requirements for building-integrated photovoltaic modules

1 Scope
This part of IEC 63092 specifies BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaic) module requirements
while IEC 63092-2 specifies BIPV system requirements. Both parts specify building
requirements and the applicable electrotechnical requirements (both in general and specific with
respect to module assembly and application category).
This document applies to photovoltaic modules used as building products. It focuses on the
properties of these photovoltaic modules relevant to basic building requirements and the
applicable electro-technical requirements. This document references international standards,
technical reports and guidelines. For some applications, national standards (or regulations) for
building products may also apply in individual countries, which are not explicitly referenced
herein and for which harmonized International Standards are not yet available.
The document is addressed to manufacturers, planners, system designers, installers, testing
institutes and building authorities.
This document does not apply to concentrating photovoltaic modules.
This document addresses requirements on the BIPV modules in the specific ways they are
intended to be mounted but not the mounting structure itself, which is within the scope of
IEC 63092-2.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 61082-1, Preparation of documents used in electrotechnology – Part 1: Rules
IEC 61215-1, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –
Part 1: Test requirements
IEC 61215-1-1, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –
Part 1-1: Special requirements for testing of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules
IEC 61215-1-2, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –
Part 1-2: Special requirements for testing of thin-film Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) based
photovoltaic (PV) modules
IEC 61215-1-3, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –
Part 1-3: Special requirements for testing of thin-film amorphous silicon based photovoltaic (PV)
modules
IEC 61215-1-4, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –
Part 1-4: Special requirements for testing of thin-film Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 based photovoltaic (PV)
modules
– 6 – IEC 63092-1:2020 © IEC 2020
IEC 61215-2, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –
Part 2: Test procedures
IEC 61730-1, Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification – Part 1: Requirements for
construction
IEC 61730-2, Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification – Part 2: Requirements for testing
IEC TS 61836, Solar photovoltaic energy systems – Terms, definitions and symbols
IEC 62446-1, Photovoltaic (PV) systems – Requirements for testing, documentation and
maintenance – Part 1: Grid connected systems – Documentation, commissioning tests and
inspection
IEC TS 62915, Photovoltaic (PV) modules – Type approval, design and safety qualification –
Retesting
IEC 63092-2, Photovoltaics in buildings – Part 2: Requirements for building-integrated
photovoltaic systems
IEC TS 63126, Guidelines for qualifying PV modules, components and materials for operation at
high temperatures
IEC/IEEE 82079-1: Preparation of information for use (instructions for use) of products – Part 1:
Principles and general requirements
ISO 9050, Glass in building – Determination of light transmittance, solar direct transmittance,
total solar energy transmittance, ultraviolet transmittance and related glazing factors
ISO 10291, Glass in building – Determination of steady-state U values (thermal transmittance)
of multiple glazing – Guarded hot plate method
ISO 10292, Glass in building – Calculation of steady-state U values (thermal transmittance) of
multiple glazing
ISO 10293, Glass in building – Determination of steady-state U values (thermal transmittance)
of multiple glazing – Heat flow meter method
ISO 12543-1, Glass in building – Laminated glass and laminated safety glass – Part 1:
Definitions and description of component parts
ISO 12543-2, Glass in building – Laminated glass and laminated safety glass – Part 2:
Laminated safety glass
ISO 12543-3, Glass in building – Laminated glass and laminated safety glass – Part 3:
Laminated glass
ISO 12543-4, Glass in building – Laminated glass and laminated safety glass – Part 4: Test
methods for durability
ISO 12543-5, Glass in building – Laminated glass and laminated safety glass – Part 5:
Dimensions and edge finishing
ISO 12543-6, Glass in building – Laminated glass and laminated safety glass – Part 6:
Appearance
ISO 15099, Thermal performance of windows, doors and shading devices – Detailed
calculations
ISO 16940, Glass in building – Glazing and airborne sound insulation – Measurement of the
mechanical impedance of laminated glass
ISO 19467 Thermal performance of windows and doors – Determination of solar heat gain
coefficient using solar simulator
ISO 22897, Glass in building – Glazing and airborne sound insulation – Product descriptions and
determination of properties
ISO 28278-1, Glass in building – Glass products for structural sealant glazing – Part 1:
Supported and unsupported monolithic and multiple glazing
ISO 29584, Glass in building – Pendulum impact testing and classification of safety glass
ISO 52022-1, Energy performance of buildings – Thermal, solar and daylight properties of
building components and elements – Part 1: Simplified calculation method of the solar and
daylight characteristics for solar protection devices combined with glazing
ISO 52022-3, Energy performance of buildings – Thermal, solar and daylight properties of
building components and elements – Part 3: Detailed calculation method of the solar and
daylight characteristics for solar protection devices combined with glazing
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, terms and definitions given in IEC 61215-1, IEC 61215-2,
IEC TS 61836, IEC 63092-2 and ISO 12543-1 (in case the module contains one or more glass
sheets), together with the following, apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
building product
any product or kit which is produced and placed on the market for incorporation in a permanent
manner in buildings or parts thereof and the performance of which has an effect on the
performance of the buildings with respect to the following basic building requirements:
a) Mechanical resistance and durability
b) Safety in case of fire
c) Hygiene, health and the environment
d) Safety and accessibility in use
e) Protection against noise
f) Energy economy and heat retention
g) Sustainable use of natural resources
3.2
building-integrated photovoltaic module
BIPV module
photovoltaic module that provides one or more of the functions of the building envelope

– 8 – IEC 63092-1:2020 © IEC 2020
Note 1 to entry: The building envelope functions shall be, depending on the application, one or more of the following:
a) Mechanical rigidity or structural integrity.
b) Primary weather impact protection: rain, snow, wind, hail.
c) Shading, daylighting, thermal insulation.
d) Fire protection.
e) Noise protection.
f) Separation between indoor and outdoor environments.
g) Security, shelter or safety.
Note 2 to entry: If a BIPV module is uninstalled, it would have to be replaced by an appropriate building product in
order to meet the building requirements.
3.3
non-sloping module
module installed at a tilt angle of 75° to 90° inclusive from the horizontal plane (see Figure 1), i.e.
a module installed at an inclination of ±15° inclusive from the vertical plane

Key
1 horizontal module
2 angle of module considered to be sloping (including horizontal)
3 angle of module considered to be non-sloping (75° to 90° inclusive, from the horizontal plane)
4 vertical module
Figure 1 – Tilt angles of modules considered sloping and non-sloping
3.4
optically representative area of the module
selected surface area of the module that includes all the components of the module which have
a significant effect on its optical properties and g value. The ratio of electrically active area (i.e.
area covered by PV cells and interconnectors) to electrically inactive area within the optically
representative area should not differ by more than 5 % from the ratio of the total electrically
active area to the total electrically inactive area for the complete module (see Figure 2).
Note 1 to entry: The figure of 5 % was determined to result in an error of 3 % or less in the g value for BIPV modules
consisting of crystalline silicon PV cells spaced over a light-transmitting medium (e.g. glass).
Note 2 to entry: The g value refers to the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) as defined in ISO 19467.

Note 3 to entry: If the solar cells themselves consist of opaque and transparent areas, or there are inhomogeneous
layers such as ceramic frits or coloured interlayers in front of the solar cell layer, special care shall be taken in the
selection of the "optically representative area" to ensure that it represents the proportions of all optically different
areas of the BIPV module to within the specified tolerance.
Ratio of electrically active area to electrically inactive area for the complete module:
𝐴𝐴 +𝐴𝐴 +𝐴𝐴
cell,total intercon,total jb,total
𝑟𝑟 = (1)
total,mod
𝐴𝐴
inact,total
Ratio of electrically active area to electrically inactive area for the representative area of the module:
𝐴𝐴 +𝐴𝐴
cell,rep intercon,rep
𝑟𝑟 = (2)
rep,mod
𝐴𝐴
inact,rep
Relation between the ratios associated to the complete module (r ) and the representative area of the module
total,mod
(r ):
rep,mod
𝑟𝑟 −𝑟𝑟
total,mod rep,mod
= ±5 % (3)
𝑟𝑟
total,mod
where
r is the ratio of electrically active area to electrically inactive area for the complete module;
total,mod
A is the surface area covered by cells within total module area;
cell,total
A is the surface area covered by interconnectors within total module area;
intercon,total
A is the surface area covered by junction box, if within area of light-transmitting medium
jb,total
(otherwise A = 0);
jb,total
A is the electrically inactive surface area within total module area;
inact,total
r is the ratio of electrically active area to electrically inactive area for the representative area of the
rep,mod
module;
A is the surface area covered by cells within representative area;
cell,rep
A is the surface area covered by interconnectors within representative area;
intercon,rep
A is the electrically inactive surface area within representative area.
inact,rep
– 10 – IEC 63092-1:2020 © IEC 2020

Key
1 photovoltaic cell or thin film 5 optically representative area of the module
2 interconnection 6 frontsheet
3 junction box 7 backsheet
4 perimeter of total module area
NOTE The same principles apply to modules consisting of other types of solar cell.
Figure 2 – Example of optically representative area of a crystalline silicon-based (top)
and a thin-film (bottom) BIPV module for the calculation method based on spectral
measurements
4 Application categories
Requirements are strongly affected by the location in the building envelope and the way the
BIPV module is installed. Table 1 lists the application categories. The relevant requirements are
listed in Clause 5.
Table 1 – Application categories
Category A Sloping, roof-integrated, not accessible from within the building
The BIPV modules are installed at a tilt angle between 0° and 75° from
the horizontal plane [0°,75°), (see Figure 1), with another building
product installed underneath (see Note).

Category B Sloping, roof-integrated, accessible from within the building
The BIPV modules are installed at a tilt angle between 0°and 75° from
the horizontal plane [0°,75°), (see Figure 1).

Category C Non-sloping (vertically) envelope-integrated, not accessible from
within the building
The BIPV modules are installed at a tilt angle between 75° and 90°
from the horizontal plane [75°,90°], (see Figure 1) with another
building product installed behind (see Note).

Category D Non-sloping (vertically), envelope-integrated, accessible from
within the building
The BIPV modules are installed at a tilt angle between 75° and 90°
from the horizontal plane [75°,90°], (see Figure 1).

Category E Externally-integrated, accessible or not accessible from within
the building
The BIPV modules are installed to form an additional functional layer
(as defined in 3.1) exterior to its envelope (e.g. balcony balustrades,
shutters, awnings, louvers, brise soleil, etc.).

NOTE A BIPV module is considered to be “not accessible” when another building product (represented by a
dashed line in the pictograms) is present, which among other functions
...