BIPV: A Future Tech or a Myth? - Waaree

• April 16,

  7 mins

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• Solar

Sun has been shining since four billion years and would continue to shine for more 5 billion years. The sun�s energy falling on earth for a day is enough to power the earth for the entire year. Mankind has tried to capture this energy by means of photovoltaic cells/ modules. There has been a lot of development in solar modules on its efficiency and power output and many application specific products have been developed. Building Integrated Photo Voltaic (BIPV) had been developed and put to use in the late 19 th century. BIPV as the name suggest are solar PV module which is completely integrated with the architecture of the building. BIPV can be easily installed on the sides of the building replacing the primitive materials while maintaining the aesthetic look of the building.

Figure 1: BIPV installation on an office (Source: Google Images)

With a target of 100 GW of solar power by , it is important to explore all the possible avenues of solar plant installation.While the country has been steadily moving towards the target, still a lot needs to be done. The main component of the power plant i.e. solar modules (currently in use) may not be compatible to the site all the times.

The solar module (currently in use) hasthe following limitations:

1) Dependence on direction of installation: As we had mentioned in our previous article "Orientation & Positioning of solar module� the currently used solar has to be installed only in south direction and at tilt angle equal to the latitude of the location for optimal power generation from the module. Any change in this parameters would lead to reduction of solar irradiance on the panel (figure 2) and hence the power output. Additionally the conventional solar module only requires direct solar irradiance for power generation.

Figure 2: Effect of direction and orientation on solar irradiance (Source: Econet

2) Dedicated area requirement: A solar plant as we know require a dedicated shadow free area for its lifetime (25 years) and such land cannot merely be used for any other activities. A solar plant to deliver 1 kW of power output requires 10 m2 of area. Such dedicated area requirement while easy to get in small towns are very difficult and costly in urban areas. Additionally the area available may not be sufficient to power the energy needs of the buildings or may not be a feasible option due to their limited size

Figure 3: A solar rooftop plant

3) Power mismatch: Due to land constraints, there has been an increase in building height to accommodate more families. Such increase would lead to an increased power demand of the building. The traditional solar power plant due to limited rooftop space (due to fa�ade and super structure) can just offset the power demand by a marginal amount. Additionally, with introduction of concept like green buildings and/or net zero energy buildings, it is important to offset such power requirement.

BIPV can be installed on all the sides andthe fa�ade of the building. This is because unlike the traditional solar modules, BIPV modules are able to generate power by both direct and diffused radiation. Additionally as mentioned above the increased height of the building would lead to high energy demand and require additional sources to offset its power requirement. Such building structures however have high fa�ade surface area to roof surface area making installation of BIPV a feasible option for offsetting its major chunk of power requirement.

The BIPV modules have the following advantages:

1) Can be used on any building: BIPV can be used on an already constructed buildings and/or buildings which are relatively old. This is because such buildings may not have enough (shadow free) rooftop area for installation of PV modules or adding solar rooftop may compromise the safety of the roof. Such buildings may opt for BIPV where modules are directly stuck/ installed and the building may utilize the energy produced from such plant.

2) Increased power output: The BIPV modules can be used to get additional power output. Additionally using bifacial cells in the module utilizing the reflected light at the inner surface of the building. Such modules can provide an additional power of upto 30% enabling the consumer to maximize the benefit of such module.

3)Thermal insulation: In addition to generating power BIPV panels (as they are sandwiched between glasses) can be used to provide thermal insulation. This requires the BIPV panels to be sandwiched by double or triple glazing structures by filling air (or anynon conductive gas) between them. This would provide the thermal insulation comparable (superior in some cases) to the traditionally used thermal insulators.

4) Other advantages:The initial cost of BIPV may be offset by reducing the amount spent on conventional building materials and labour that would normally be used to construct that part of the building. Once the building is in operation, there are additional savings as the sunlight generates electrical energy. BIPV are available in various colours maintaining the architectural integrity of the building. BIPV modules can comparably (to the regular construction material) reflect sound (noise) based on its construction.

The BIPV technology as mentioned above has added advantages when compared to the traditional solar modules. However, they are not common to our sight (when compared to traditional modules) because of the following reasons:

1) Heavy initial cost: One of the most important factors for adapting any technology is the cost associated with it. With the cost of solar plant (using traditional solar plant) touching a mere INR 2.44/ kWh (refer)it has become crucial that other solar technologies are at par with this cost. However BIPV solar modules are costly by more than 2.5 to 3 times the traditional solar module.

2) Require adequate protection: The BIPV modules (as we saw in earlier figures) are installed generally outside the building with some installed vertically. This makes them prone to heavy mechanical stress due to wind forces. Additionally few of those modules are only supported by the surrounding modules (and not by a proper supporting mechanism) making them extremely vulnerable. This requires the modules to be extremely sturdy while maintaining the aesthetic look of the building. Such modules are not always available making it an impossible installation.

3) Social adaptability and subsidy issues in India:While the country boasts close to 15 GW of grid connected solar installations, adaptability of new technology like BIPV has been an issue. One factor that can be attributed to such adaptability is that the country�s infrastructure in not yet been fully developed to adapt such technology. Additionally various countries like USA, China, EU has already declared attractive policy for adaptation of BIPV while India is yet to do so. While there is an uptake of a typical type of BIPV module in India, the full range of BIPV modules are yet to see the bright side of the day.

The figure below shows few installations of BIPV modules on buildings. As evident, there is no standard design for such modules as they are site specific. Additionally these modules can be customized based on the Architectural design of the building or could be made to be in sync with the building (if the building is in planning stage). Also, these modules are perfect match for low (direct) irradiance locations and they can be installed in any orientation. Such modules are already installed in various parts of Europe, USA, China, etc. and are perfectly in sync with the local grid while powering the building. India can utilize such modules (instead of traditional solar PV) in (relatively) low irradiance sites like North Eastern India. Additionally government can also provide financial incentives for such modules giving BIPV the much needed push.

Figure 4: Few installations of BIPV (Source: Google images)

Waaree is capable of producing BIPV module with the standard (and few customized) power requirements. We also have a range of flexible, low weight, peel-and-stick flexible modules which use a patented technology. They can be customized according to the consumer requirements based on their area or power. They can also be integrated with your building based on its size.

Figure 6: Building Integrated PV Merlin modules

Let us all pledge to make solar energy the primary source of energy in the near future.

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The Current State of BIPV

Rooftop solar products have undergone a renaissance. Price reductions, policy-related advocacy and product availability have made commercial and residential solar panels commonplace. However, BIPV systems take solar’s advantages further by making renewable energy a structural component. These systems also complement other solar variants like bifacial panels to maximize generation per panel.

The BIPV market in the U.S. is predicted to have a compound annual growth rate of 22.1% between and . Meanwhile, Europe’s BIPV revenue grew 37.1% in , outperforming the rest of the world. A combination of consumer curiosity and government interest is clearly promoting its viability, and corporations are taking action by engaging in strategic partnerships to advance BIPV innovations. 

BIPV systems could be in the form of pre-installed solar shingles or window glazing. It is a diverse technology with seemingly limitless potential. Innovations like thin-film technologies support the idea of incorporating solar generation into all aspects of the home, including carports, awnings, facades and more. While rooftops are optimal for getting the most exposure, the sun’s rays reach many surfaces and could have more utility than they currently do.

The Reason BIPV Has Promise

The versatility and malleability of BIPV systems make them enticing to modern professionals and consumers. The advantages warrant more expansive research and knowledge-sharing inside and outside the industry. If widely implemented, BIPV systems can help save on construction materials by incorporating solar energy. They can also reduce maintenance costs and needs, saving even more raw resources in the process.

Additionally, BIPV systems promise energy independence and resilience. They allow builders to leverage every inch possible to produce power. If the home is connected to battery energy storage solutions, then the house — and its community, if connected to a microgrid — will benefit. The surplus can alleviate financial burdens by not having to rely on utility companies during peak times and provide sustainable energy to neighbors. If an outage occurs, the backup power keeps lights on — all because BIPV systems gave households countless avenues to store more resources.

Recently, California passed a mandate requiring all new builds in the state to have solar panels. While most of this manifests as rooftop solar, similar legislation could expand BIPV systems and make them more accessible to the average citizen. Prospective homebuyers would no longer need to seek an external provider or worry about financing — everything is bundled for a streamlined, eco-friendly home-buying experience. Notably, buyers also like the more aligned aesthetic. Home values could increase because the solar assets feel part of the build instead of tacked onto a rooftop.

The Possibilities for BIPV and BAPV

While BIPV is exclusive for new builds, building-added or applied photovoltaics (BAPV) is a way to add solar products after construction. Corporations can take advantage of BAPV systems for monumental utility savings and increased uptime. 

For example, in a restaurant, refrigeration can use 10% to 20% of a restaurant’s electricity. It is precarious to have one business-critical asset capitalize on so much money and electricity. However, it demonstrates where massive savings can occur. The restaurant could add BAPV systems, especially if it features interior aesthetics like bay windows or skylights. 

BAPV and BIPV systems absorb heat that would otherwise impact internal temperatures, so they can help lower energy costs and needs. A research effort in Dubai discovered that BIPV reduced high-rise building energy consumption by up to 32.8% by adding BIPV on windows and exterior walls.

The Factors Experts Consider for Longevity

If renewable energy and construction professionals want BIPV’s positive reputation to persist, they must preemptively tackle potential obstacles. Otherwise, structures with BIPV might endure some headaches in the near future.

Compatibility is the first concern. Most buildings will receive BIPV as a new construction, so fit shouldn’t be an issue. However, maintenance and replacements should be able to occur easily, which means the integrations cannot be too limiting. Additionally, BIPV systems must be sturdy and durable. Installers and engineers will need to strive for this delicate balance.

Many are also concerned with fire safety despite regulatory bodies and third-party testing agencies working to refine manufacturing guidelines. Advanced frameworks will be necessary as BIPV expands, though renewable energy installers can educate customers on what exists to keep buildings protected. Sometimes, knowing there are systems in place to oversee BIPV production is enough to keep adoption momentum alive.

Finally, cost is the most prohibitive barrier for commercial and residential installations. Conventional solar panels are objectively cheaper in most cases, but the cost is circumstantial compared to other energy-efficiency strategies. An economic feasibility test in northern Texas tested how BIPV would impact citizens’ finances compared to green roofs. Based on the levelized cost of electricity, green roofs cost 39.77% more than BIPV because of discounts and the profits associated with the latter.

The Future of BIPV

In general, solar seems to be on an unbeatable path to becoming the world’s most common renewable energy generator. BIPV systems are pivotal in advancing this, incorporating green power into more places than rooftops and backyards. They expand the possibilities of where clean electricity can come from, challenging related industries to diversify their technologies to be more adaptable. Eventually, BIPV systems will disseminate fears around renewable reliability until sustainable energy becomes an irrefutably obvious choice.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of top 10 BIPV manufacturers. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.