EAI presents Cleantech Snapshots: a quick summary of some of the most interesting and innovative areas in clean technology that will drive the sustainability movement in future.

This snapshot focuses on BIPV. Within this page you will find

• An overview of BIPV
• It’s types
• BIPV and its building aesthetics
• Innovations in BIPV
• BIPV Case studies

Overview

• Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are photovoltaic materials used to replace conventional materials in buildings, and also used as a source of power. They can be used in both new buildings and retrofitted to existing buildings.
• BIPV can come in the form of Flat roofs, Pitched roofs, Solar shingles, Facades and Glazing. While BIPV is an exciting area for the future, power generated from BIPV is currently expensive compared to traditional rooftop or ground mounted solar power systems.
• The advantage of integrated photovoltaics over more common non-integrated systems is that the initial cost can be offset by reducing the amount spent on building materials and labor that would normally be used to construct the part of the building that the BIPV modules replace. These advantages make BIPV one of the fastest growing segments of the photovoltaic industry.
• It is one of the biggest hopes for converting PV into a substantial industry that will be self-sustaining without government subsidies.

BIPV System(Image source)

Types of bioremediation

• Flat roofs
• Pitched roofs
• Façade
• Glazing

BIPV and building aesthetics

• It offers attractive solutions with high integration appeal and architectural sophistication
• Rooftop BIPV systems can perform with relatively small loses and appealing when compared with optimally titled and oriented PV generators
• It integrates seamlessly with the building envelope holding aesthetic appeal for architects and builders

Innovations in BIPV

• Roofs: Seam metal roofing with thin film photovoltaic
• Solar walls
• Color modules
• Solar paint

Bioplastics Case studies

• Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) in the Residential Sector: An Analysis of Installed. Link
• Performance Analysis of an Existing BIPV System for Indian Climatic Conditions. Link
• The value of commercial BIPV systems in the urban environment. Link