Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) in Malaysia

Advantages of building-integrated photovoltaics

BIPV makes it possible to meet the energy demand in buildings directly at the source through renewable energies. In addition, integrating solar energy into building envelopes has further advantages:

- No additional space for photovoltaic modules is required, as the building envelope itself provides the surface area for generating The building can provide system services for the building envelopes.

- The building can provide system services for the entire energy system.

- Compared with rooftop systems, integrating PV solar modules into the building envelope does not require secondary investments for The building can provide system services for the entire energy system.

- Integrating solar energy systems into buildings is a necessary measure for achieving high energy efficiency standards in buildings.

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.

Product quality certificates

BIPV system components

BIPV systems typically consist of the following components.

Photovoltaic modules (thin film or crystalline)

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

Energy storage systems, consist 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 of hardware, wiring, and safety disconnects.

Opportunities for developing BIPV in Malaysia:

- Favourable policies provide major impetus for developing BIPV

- Strong PV industry chains

- International collaborations and exchanges on China's BIPV industry

Challenges for developing BIPV in China:

- Rapid decline in PV subsidies with adverse consequences for the development of the entire PV industry, including BIPV

- Lack of professional energy design and consulting teams with relevant experience

- Insufficient grid connections

- Limited product range, few market opportunities, relatively high investments

With its year-round sunshine and rapidly developing economy, Malaysia is looking to increase its use of solar energy, particularly in urban areas where land is scarce and expensive. To this end it recently launched the Malaysia Building Integrated Photovoltaic project. Ahmad Hadri Haris, Vincent Tan, Azah Ahmad, Wei-Nee Chen and Daniel Ruoss give a review of the programme along with the history, and the future, of grid-connected BIPV systems in Malaysia.