Rising trends - what is Building Integrated Photovoltaics?

Rising trends - what is Building Integrated Photovoltaics

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Solar panels are becoming anincreasingly familiar sight up and down the country, and by now most people would be able to recognise one if they saw it. Howevera new market sector is emerging within the solar industry, and that is Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). But what is BIPV you may ask, and how does it compare to the more common non-integrated solar panels?

BIPV refers to when photovoltaic materials are integrated into theconstructionof the building itself in the place ofmore conventional building materials. For example, this can be in the roofing,facades, shading or skylights. BIPV is able to provide a source of power for the building, as well asbeing partof itsconstruction.

Its most common use is in the construction of new buildings. The materials are generally moreexpensive than non-integrated solar panels, however for new builds these costs can be offset against those of the building materials they replace. BIPVcan be retrofitted onto older buildings, however this isoften a more expensiveoption than fitting solar panels on an existing roof, as the original building materials have already been installed and paidfor.

BIPV is an exciting prospect for architects, as it adds a new element to the design and structure of the building. Thephotovoltaic cells come in a wide range of colours, which can add to the aesthetics of the building. There have been several famous projects that have taken advantage of BIPV technology. One such exampleis the Zero Energy Media Wall in Beijing, which features the largest LED display in the world. Here the photovoltaic materials have been integrated into the glass curtain wall of the building, where they harvest solar energy during theday, and use it to illuminate the screen after dark, mirroringa day's climatic cycle.

It is clear then that BIPV can be a great source of innovation whendesigning new buildings, and can produce some impressive results from an architectural point of view. But is it suitable for every day homes? If you are building a new house, or are interested in constructing an awningfor a patio, then BIPVcould be for you. Solar tiles can be factored in at thedesign stage, therefore replacing the conventional building materials and providing your home with asource of renewable energy. However for the majority of people considering solar energy for their home, solar panels will still be the more likely option.This is because most people will be retrofitting, therefore the increased cost of BIPV will not be offsetagainst construction materials. What is more, retrofitting BIPV involves more work than installing solar panels, as the original roofing materials would have to be removed before installing the solar tiles in their place.

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