What is Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)?

Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) is a technology that provides solar power generation capacity to a building without disrupting the aesthetics of the building design. The technology integrates photovoltaic (PV) modules into the skin of a building, replacing the façade and sloping/flat/curved roofs.

Some BIPV applications include metal PV modules or solar tiles for roofs, aesthetically designed custom-sized PV modules for solar facades, PV windows to replace building glazing and PV skylights, and other PV retrofits integrated into the building skin.

Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) is an emerging technology with great potential to reduce the carbon footprint and electricity bills of buildings. bipv represents an economic benefit for buildings, but also implies high upfront costs compared to traditional facades.

Types of BIPV options

There are several BIPV technologies available for building applications. Due to its natural insulating properties, BIPV can reduce the amount of energy required to operate a building. 

These technologies can be used in a number of different ways for building applications. The four most common ways in which BIPV is used in build applications are

External walls

Windows and overhead glazing

Roofs

Sunshades

Further benefits of BIPV

BIPV technology can produce more energy than conventional solar panels and requires less space.

Integrated photovoltaics are an environmentally friendly technology as they do not pollute the environment.

The use of BIPV will have a positive impact on your organisation - if you use it in your building or company

BIPV modules

BIPV modules use crystalline silicon based solar cells or thin film technologies such as amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride and copper indium gallium selenide. Most technologies can achieve varying degrees of transparency by spacing the opaque solar cells or making the thin film layer transparent.

BIPV modules replace traditional building envelope materials and generate electricity at the same time. By avoiding the cost of traditional building materials, the lifecycle cost of a PV system is greatly increased.

BIPV system components

BIPV systems typically consist of the following components.

Photovoltaic modules (thin film or crystalline).

Charge controllers, which are used in some systems to regulate the power to and from the energy storage bank.

Energy storage systems, consisting of a utility grid or multiple batteries in a utility interaction system.

Power conversion equipment - in particular inverters for converting the DC output of BIPV modules to AC power compatible with the utility grid.

Standby power in a stand-alone system (optional) - usually a diesel generator.

Support and installation hardware, wiring and safety disconnects.