Building-integrated photovoltaics: The A to Z of BIPV systems

Construction is a strong contributor to climate change, with the construction sector accounting for 38% of global carbon emissions.

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And as CO2 emissions from building operations reached an all-time high of around 10 GtCO2 in &#; a 5% increase compared to &#; it&#;s clear that the construction industry needs a greener method to combat climate change while also keeping up with the demand from a growing population.

That&#;s where building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) can help. BIPV is a form of solar system that can be used as a conventional functional part of a building while also generating electricity from solar energy.

BIPV can substitute traditional construction elements, such as roofs, façades, and skylights &#; an exciting development to seamlessly incorporate solar photovoltaics into modern architectural structures.

BIPV systems have already been incorporated into a wide variety of buildings all around the world. From the iconic Copenhagen International School in Denmark &#; whose 700 kW BIPV systems power 50% of the school&#;s total annual electricity consumption &#; to the impressive Solar Ark building in Japan. The Solar Ark&#;s BIPV systems generate 630 kW from over 5,000 solar panels, totaling around 500,000 kWh of energy per year.

With the global BIPV market rising to a value of roughly $10.8 billion in , it&#;s clear that BIPV are here to stay, with more and more people looking to green solutions for energy generation over time.

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In this article, we will discuss the differences between BIPV and regular PV systems, the different forms you can find BIPV in, the advantages of BIPV, as well as some real-life examples of BIPV systems around the world.

A Building Integrated Photovoltaics System (BIPV) puts all the necessary equipment for solar energy directly into a building&#;s materials instead of using additional equipment. Integrated elements allow buildings to maintain design features and often allow for more surface area for solar panels.

PV elements are often incorporated directly into the roof or facade of a building. While structures may use BIPV as a standalone, off-grid power source, most opt to use it along with grid electricity.

Most BIPV products use one of two types of PV solar cells: thick crystal or thin-film products. Thick crystal cells are made of crystalline silicon in individual or poly-crystalline sheets. Thin film products use layers of PV active materials coated on glass or metal. Currently, thick crystal products produce more power, while thin film is cheaper.

Several other components also make up a BIPV system. Standalone systems use a charge controller to control battery storage power. Systems connected to the grid will have a power storage system in the grid, while standalone systems will have batteries.

As the energy produced is DC, systems use an inverter to convert to AC power. Standalone systems may also include a generator for backup power.

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