Economic competitiveness of BIPV in energy sharing configurations across selected European countries

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) offer a promising solution for enhancing building energy efficiency and advancing the transition to renewable energy, particularly in urban environments where roof space is limited for traditional photovoltaic (PV) installations. However, compared to standard PV, the high installation costs associated with BIPV systems—stemming from their dual function as both architectural elements and energy generators—pose a significant barrier to their widespread adoption. This study examines the economic competitiveness and energy potential of BIPV systems in conjunction with energy-sharing mechanisms within Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) - specifically on a multi-family building scenario. It also assesses the impact of local photovoltaic incentives, in three representative European geo-clusters: Rome (Mediterranean), Vienna (Eastern), and Brussels (Continental Central). These cities were selected for their climatic diversity and recognition as European best practices in implementing provisions for RECs. The analysis compares the performance of BIPV systems with and without energy-sharing, accounting factors such as solar irradiation, financial incentives, and energy self-consumption. In Rome, energy-sharing integration increased the installed BIPV capacity by 70 %, while in Vienna, the increase was 292 % despite the absence of financial incentives. Brussels demonstrated a 59 % increase in installed BIPV capacity without incentives, which surged to 95 % with the introduction of green certificate incentives. These findings suggest that energy-sharing significantly enhances the economic viability of BIPV systems, even in regions with lower solar radiation. Additionally, while the higher upfront costs of BIPV systems can limit their adoption, energy-sharing mechanisms can effectively offset these costs, thereby improving the economic feasibility of BIPV installations.