Buildings Webinar | BIPV Innovative Solutions and Energy Simulation
the chair
It is my pleasure to welcome you to this event dedicated to Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), an innovative approach to combine architecture and photovoltaics in new and retrofit projects, efficiently contributing to decarbonising our cities.
This webinar accompanies the Special Issue “Advances in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) for Sustainable Buildings”, which explores the latest progress and challenges in the field—from innovative architectural concepts and advanced materials to system performance optimisation and energy simulation methods. Two relevant experts in the field will present key aspects of BIPV and participate in a Q&A session aimed at bringing together researchers, professionals and practitioners to share insights and discuss implementation strategies for both new and retrofit projects.
Date: 2nd December 2025
Time: 10 am CET | 06:00 pm CST (Asia)
Webinar ID: 852 4510 7659
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Meet the Event Chair
Meet Our Speakers
Prof. Lorenzo Olivieri
Department of Construction and Technology in Architecture, and Solar Energy Institute, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain;
An experienced researcher and educator in renewable energy and energy efficiency, specialising in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), Prof. Olivieri holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Renewable Energy, and Photovoltaics, and a PhD focused on BIPV. With over 15 years of international experience, he bridges the architecture, construction, and photovoltaic sectors to promote sustainable building integration. He is an Associate Professor at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and leads the Renewable Distributed Generation and Intelligent Control Research Group (GEDIRCI).
Dr. Jesus Polo
Photovoltaic Solar Energy Unity, Renewable Energy Division, CIEMAT, Spain;
In 2003, Dr. Polo joined the Renewable Energy Division in CIEMAT, working on developing and modeling solar radiation for solar power plants. He works on several R&D projects and collaborates with several companies in providing solar data and consultancy. His main activities in solar resource knowledge include satellite-derived models, atmospheric aerosols, spectral measurements and modeling, solar potential mapping and modeling solar systems (PV and CSP plant performance). In the last 5 years, he has been also very active in BIPV systems modelling.
Sponsors and Partners
Organizer
Advances in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) for Sustainable Buildings
Edited by Dr. Nuria Martín Chivelet and Dr. Jesús Polo
Deadline for submission: 31 March 2026
The webinar was hosted via Zoom and required registration to attend. The full recording can be found below. In order to learn about future webinars, you can sign up to our newsletter by clicking “Subscribe” at the top of the page.
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) offer a sustainable and aesthetically appealing way to integrate solar energy generation directly into building envelopes, replacing conventional materials used in roofs, facades, or other structures. Unlike standard building-attached photovoltaics (BAPV), BIPV provides material savings, improved safety, and enhanced urban integration. Despite these advantages and the current favourable policy frameworks, such as the European Directives promoting renewable energy and energy-efficient buildings, BIPV remains underutilized due to higher upfront costs, technical complexity, and limited awareness. Cities, particularly those with a large stock of older buildings, stand to benefit significantly from BIPV retrofits, including heritage buildings, where careful design and methodology can ensure compatibility without compromising historical value.
Accurate assessment of BIPV potential requires advanced simulation methods, including solar radiation mapping, solar cadastres, and digital surface models to account for shading, orientation, and the unique operating conditions of BIPV modules, such as higher temperatures and partial shading. While current PV and building modeling tools provide a foundation, further research and innovation are needed to fully capture BIPV performance. The webinar highlights BIPV as a promising solution for building sustainable, energy-resilient cities, emphasizing that investing in its development is a key step toward a more sustainable and resilient urban future.