How does colour BIPV perform in real conditions? 

A new study conducted by Eurac Research has tackled the topic of the performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) modules with custom colours. 

The paper “Experimental evaluation of the temperature related behaviour of pigment based coloured BIPV modules integrated in a ventilated façade” examines five differently coloured BIPV modules under both indoor and real exposure conditions. These colours, chosen for their architectural versatility, are tested for their energy yield and behaviour in fluctuating outdoor conditions. 

To conduct the study, a real-scale mock-up has been designed at Eurac Research’s PV Integration Lab. 

Key findings include: 

• By calculating the Ross coefficient—a measure of temperature-induced performance degradation—researchers highlighted how colour affects a module’s thermal performance. 

• Darker colours achieved higher energy efficiency under standard test conditions, they were also more prone to heat accumulation, which impacts overall energy yield under real outdoor conditions. 

• Lighter colours demonstrated lower efficiency in indoor testing, but maintained better performance in actual operating conditions, where temperature fluctuations are a factor. 

These findings are useful for architects and designers aiming to integrate coloured BIPV into buildings. With real-world data on temperature-related impacts, it is easier to choose the best colour options to achieve both aesthetical integration and optimal energy production. 

Instrumental for the study was the contribution of industrial partners, SUNAGE and RUBNER Holzbau for supporting the mock-up manufacturing. 

Read the full paper by Martina Pelle, Martino Gubert, Enrico Dalla Maria, Alexander Astigarraga, Stefano Avesani, Laura Maturi here: Experimental evaluation of the temperature related behaviour of pigment based coloured BIPV modules integrated in a ventilated façade – ScienceDirect