B.P. Jelle, G. Lobaccaro, M. Manni, T. Gao
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU),
Norway
Keywords: building integrated photovoltaics, BIPV, solar cell, building, obstacle, opportunity, barrier, future
Summary:
The last decades the world has been experiencing an increasing interest and demand for energy-efficient solutions, utilization of renewable and non-polluting energy sources, and minimized negative environmental impact at all levels. The increasing attention towards these aspects is also very evident within the building sector with regard to both construction of new buildings and renovation of existing ones. Within this realm, the exploitation of the incident solar radiation in various ways represents one of the key factors with several challenges and potential high-gain benefits, including the possibility of harvesting the solar radiation and converting it into electrical energy by the use of solar cell technologies. In this study we will be investigating the integration of solar cells into the building envelope, thereby turning the building skin into a combined weather protection screen and an electrical power generator. Hence, the aim will be to identify and explore the obstacles to be overcome and the opportunities to be seized for building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Miscellaneous aspects of BIPV obstacles and opportunities will be presented. Examples of barriers to be solved are issues related to lack of standardization, flexibility regarding e.g. integration aspects and possible choice of colours, aesthetics such as e.g. architectural expression and colour choices, safety with respect to e.g. high voltages and fire aspects, ease of installation and demounting, various performance aspects, required and necessary maintenance, robustness and durability, environmental impact, and cost efficiency. Some of the barriers and obstacles are also dependent of each other, which may also be exploited beneficially. For example, flexibility with regard to integration may lead to ease of installation and demounting, which henceforth will result in a higher cost efficiency. Noteworthy, the development of e.g. flexible/bendable solar cells may enable their utilization in various building applications which earlier was not considered as practical or even possible. In this context, it is then obvious that BIPV solutions which are becoming so easy and fast to install and demount that they may be denoted plug-and-play or one-click BIPV products, may represent an important and versatile part of the coming BIPV systems. Looking a bit further ahead into the future, and also based on current and emerging materials and technologies development, one may visualize solar cell materials which can be applied onto building facades and roofs by brush or spray painting. Thus, by breaking the barriers and removing the obstacles and then exploiting the full range of opportunities within the BIPV concept, one may arrive at a future built environment where BIPV will be the natural choice for building facades and roofs.