Building Integrated PV (BIPV)
With the falling PV module prices and the increasing availability of thin film photovoltaic modules, interest in the building integration of photovoltaics,(BIPV) where the PV elements actually become an integral part of the building, often serving as the exterior weather skin, is growing worldwide. BIPV is normally designed and built together with the design and construction of the building and as such it requires cooperation of many different experts, such as architects, builders and PV system designers. Depending on how and where BIPV systems are built whether into the façade or in the roof, the following BIPV systems are recognized:
- Roof-integrated photovoltaic systems which are integrated into the roof to replace outer roofing materials such as tiles. There are currently many different esthetically acceptable types of PV elements integrated and formed as tiles and slates which can be used as the outer skin of the roof.
- Facade integrated photovoltaic systems which consist of different transparent module types, such as crystalline and micro-perforated amorphous transparent modules. In such cases a part of natural light is transferred into the building through the modules.
- Photovoltaic systems which are used for shadowing, where photovoltaic modules serve as Venetian blinders. In some of such cases photovoltaic modules tilt angle could be adjusted manually or automatically allowing for shadowing the building
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Project: Grid-tied, Single-Family detached ,site-built house Location: Hudson, QC.
Building type : BIPV/Thermal -NZEH
Architect & Builder :Sevag Pogharian Design
PV Module Design : Day4Energy/Unity Integration |
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