A new IEA PVPS Task 15 report (Analysis of Technological Innovation Systems for BIPV in Different IEA Countries, 2025) compares national Technological Innovation Systems (TIS) for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in Spain, Finland, Sweden, Italy, Australia, Austria, and the Netherlands. The analysis shows that while BIPV has moved beyond the pilot stage in all countries, it remains a niche market. Policy gaps, limited collaboration between solar and construction sectors, and uneven market formation are slowing its growth. At the same time, shared challenges and opportunities suggest strong potential for coordinated action.
Actors and Drivers
Across the studied countries, research and education institutions are the most influential actors in developing BIPV technology and know-how. Dedicated BIPV manufacturers are present in all markets, but engagement from the construction sector is often limited, meaning design integration and market uptake can be slower. Policymakers play a more active role in Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden, shaping regulations and influencing the pace of adoption.
Institutions and Policy
The formal policy and regulatory environment for BIPV is underdeveloped. In most countries, BIPV modules are not formally recognised as construction products, limiting their eligibility for building renovation or energy upgrade incentives. Existing PV incentives tend to favour building-applied PV (BAPV) over BIPV, which is typically more complex and costly to deploy. While European standards such as EN 50583 and IEC 63092 exist, they are not mandatory, leaving compliance and quality assurance uneven.
Market and Applications
Market activity remains concentrated in specific application types. Roof-integrated PV systems dominate in most countries, leveraging familiarity and simpler installation pathways. Spain is the notable exception, where façade-integrated BIPV has developed more strongly due to historic building code requirements. Italy stands out for having the largest installed capacity — more than 2.5 GWp — thanks to past feed-in tariff bonuses that specifically rewarded BIPV integration.
Functional Weaknesses
When assessing the eight core TIS functions, all countries show at least three with insufficient fulfilment for commercial growth. The most persistent weakness is knowledge dissemination — BIPV expertise often fails to reach architects, builders, local authorities, and financiers. Market formation is also lacking, with limited incentives and business models to support scale-up. Social capital, in terms of networking, trust, and cross-sector cooperation, remains low, reinforcing the technology’s niche status.
Recommendations from the Report
The report’s national-level recommendations converge around a few common themes. Countries are encouraged to bring new actors into the value chain, particularly from construction and finance. Cross-sector collaboration should be strengthened, for example through requirements in public tenders. Technical standards, installation guidelines, and BIPV-specific incentives can help create a level playing field with BAPV. Innovation should target cost reduction, retrofit-friendly products, and scalable solutions, alongside more education and training to build market confidence.
Key Takeaways
Overall, the findings reinforce that BIPV remains in a transitional phase, with significant potential but systemic barriers to overcome. Countries with targeted policies and incentives have seen stronger market development, proving that regulatory design matters. Closing the gap between the solar and construction industries is essential for mainstream adoption, and international cooperation — through platforms such as IEA PVPS Task 15 — can accelerate the exchange of knowledge, standardisation efforts, and market-building strategies.
