BIPV Builds Trust of Architects

Integrated design for new buildings allows for the most comprehensive approach in utilizing solar energy in a building energy mix.
Revising functionality and appearance of existing buildings is an effective way to use solar applications in combination with re-cladding the existing buildings.
Until recently one of the main barriers to the spread of BIPV systems was the high cost. On the other hand, the drastic cost drop of PV over recent years has decreased BIPV prices leading to cost competitiveness with standard building materials. It is thus essential to build trust of architects and investors by showing business cases and new BIPV reality and possibilities.

Photovoltaic modules are considered to be building integrated if they represent a component of the building envelope providing a function as defined in the European Construction Product Regulation CPR 305/2011. Thus the building performance of the BIPV module is required for the integrity of the building’s functionality. Namely the challenge to optimally balance the aesthetical quality with the energy and electrical efficiency, reliability and safety is one of the drivers of innovation. International researches have already shown plenty of interesting examples of nice looking, conceptual, typological, constructive and aesthetical integration of PV in contemporary architecture as well as in existing built heritage. Undoubtedly PV is progressively becoming one of the “tools” of contemporary architecture, similarly to any other building material (such as wood, stone, brick, glass, etc.) or component (window, cladding, etc.).

Contemporary BIPV features:

Aesthetics
Durability and Reliability
Size and shape variations
Colour and texture variations
Visible or invisible
Technologies
Transparency variations
Modularity
Easy mounting
Lightweight
Adaptability and Flexibility
High efficiency and power variations
Decreasing Costs
Acceptable Rate of Return
Sustainability