Knowledge fuels change - Support energypedia!
For over 10 years, energypedia has been connecting energy experts around the world — helping them share knowledge, learn from each other, and accelerate the global energy transition.
Today, we ask for your support to keep this platform free and accessible to all.
Even a small contribution makes a big difference! If just 10–20% of our 60,000+ monthly visitors donated the equivalent of a cup of coffee — €5 — Energypedia would be fully funded for a whole year.
Is the knowledge you’ve gained through Energypedia this year worth €5 or more?
Your donation keeps the platform running, helps us create new knowledge products, and contributes directly to achieving SDG 7.
Thank you for your support, your donation, big or small, truly matters!
Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are increasingly incorporated into new domestic and industrial buildings as a principal or ancillary source of electrical power, and are one of the fastest growing segments of the photovoltaic industry.
Typically, an array is incorporated into the roof or walls of a building and roof tiles with integrated PV cells can now be purchased. Arrays can also be retrofitted into existing buildings; in this case they are usually fitted on top of the existing roof structure. Alternatively, an array can be located separately from the building but connected by cable to supply power for the building[1].
In Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), the PV modules serve the dual function of building skin-replacing conventional building envelope materials-and as a power generator. By avoiding the cost of conventional materials, the incremental cost of photovoltaics is reduced and its life-cycle cost is improved. Thus, BIPV systems often have lower overall costs than PV systems requiring separate, dedicated, mounting systems.
BIPV is a part of the PV industry but also due to its possible usage as building products, it should also be seen as part of the "Green Building" movement.
While the Green Building concept is firmly established in countries like Japan and Korea, it is rapidly gaining momentum in China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. and the rest of the world[2]
Further reading
http://www.wbdg.org/resources/bipv.php
References
- ↑ GTZ (2007): Eastern Africa Resource Base: GTZ Online Regional Energy Resource Base: Regional and Country Specific Energy Resource Database: I - Energy Technology
- ↑ http://www.moserbaersolar.com/media-press-details-apr18-11.asp
