What is Building Integrated Photovoltaics? - About BIPV

Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) is playing an increasing role in generating the form and affecting the appearance and construction of new buildings

Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

Building Integrated PV employs solar photovoltaic panels to replace conventional building materials in the roofs, walls and sun shading of buildings. The practice of integrating Solar PV modules to enable buildings to generate electricity is increasing in popularity and as the technology improves and costs reduce.

The main advantage of Building Integrated PV, over more traditional building methods, is that some of the construction costs can be offset by reducing the amount spent on the construction materials that the Solar PV modules replace.

Building Integrated PV Design (BIPV)

The decision to integrate Solar PV modules in a building must be made at the outset. Accommodating Building Integrated PV will dramatically change the design of the building envelope, with particular regard to orientation, plan layout, form and footprint.

Building Integrated PV offers considerable potential to architects and engineers. The Solar PV modules become an integral part of the building design. They look more comfortable and are more aesthetically pleasing than other solar options. A successful solar integrated design will be futuristic, striking in appearance and will confidently proclaim its green credentials.

Energy Efficient Building Integrated PV (BIPV)

The addition of Solar PV modules is not the complete solution to a building's energy problems. In order to minimise the amount of electricity required to operate the building, energy efficiency measures such as high levels of insulation, airtighness and passive solar design should be employed. To determine the required power rating of the integrated Solar PV modules for a building, the electricity demand required to operate the building must be carefully evaluated.

Feed in Tariffs for Buildings Integrated PV (BIPV)

The feed in tariffs scheme is a UK Government sponsored incentive that has been introduced to encourage the installation of renewable energy sources. Under feed in tariffs, regional and national electricity utility companies must buy renewable energy electricity from individual producers.

The feed in tariffs scheme allows electricity producers to export surplus electricity generated from integrated Solar PV modules to the National Grid when it is not required. At night, and at other times when exceptional demand cannot be satisfied by the integrated Solar PV modules, electricity can be imported from the National Grid.

Solar PV modules should be considered as an integral part of the overall environmental strategy of energy efficient building design

About Building Integrated Photovoltaics - Integrated PV