What is building-integrated photovoltaics?

Building-integrated photovoltaics is a set of emerging solar energy applications that replace conventional building materials with solar energy generating materials in the structure, like the roof, skylights, balustrades, awnings, facades, or windows.

Are building-integrated photovoltaics a viable alternative to solar energy harvesting?

Historically, solar energy harvesting has been expensive, relatively inefficient, and hampered by poor design. Existing building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) have proven to be less practical and economically unfeasible for large-scale adoption due to design limitations and poor aesthetics.

How do architects choose photovoltaic materials?

Architects must carefully choose photovoltaic materials that complement the building’s design. BIPV elements can be made to mimic traditional building materials or offer a distinctive high-tech appearance. Color, pattern, and opacity are important characteristics.

Can integrated photovoltaics be used in urban environments?

Future improvements and research directions for enhanced testing has been provided. Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) has enormous potential for on-site renewable energy generation in urban environments. However, BIPV systems are still in a relatively nascent stage with few commercial installations.

Is photovoltaic the future of architecture?

Photovoltaic gets along with the future of architecture: the latest technological innovations allow PV panels to be integrated in the building itself, and if the integration is planned before the construction you may have a real green building.

Can building-applied photovoltaics be used on rooftops?

However, despite a strong visual evolution relative to building-applied photovoltaics (BAPV) (Fig. 2a), BIPV has so far been limited to rooftop integration of relatively conventional PV modules (Fig. 2b) or to emblematic demonstration projects (Fig. 3a,b for a façade example, Fig. 3c,d for a rooftop example).