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Building-integrated photovoltaics

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The CIS Tower, Manchester, England, was clad in PV panels at a cost of £5.5 million. It started feeding electricity to the national grid in November 2005.

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are increasingly incorporated into new domestic and industrial buildings as a principal or ancillary source of electrical power,[1] and are one of the fastest growing segments of the photovoltaic industry.[2]

Typically, a photovoltaic array is incorporated into the roof or walls of a building. 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.

File:BIPVGTUICC EMS.jpg
Installed in 1984, $60,000 of electricity is generated annually from this BIPV installation at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Grid-connected installations

The largest BIPV installations are grid-connected systems. These systems are connected to the utility grid through a direct current to alternating current (DC-AC) inverter. When the load required in the building is more than that supplied by the PV array then electricity will be drawn from the grid; conversely when the PV array is generating more power than is needed in the building then electricity will be exported to the grid. Batteries are not required and standard AC electrical equipment may be used.

Off-grid installations

Where a building is at a considerable distance from the public electricity supply (or grid) - in remote or mountainous areas – PV may be the only possibility for generating electricity, or PV may be used together with wind and/or hydroelectric power. In such off-grid circumstances batteries are usually used to store the electric power.

Costs and incentives

The average lowest retail cost of a large PV module declined from USD 7.50 to USD 4 per watt between 1990 and 2004. However, prices have gone up 15-20% in 2005-2006 due to increased demand (mainly due to increased incentives and subsidies) and silicon shortages. The silicon shortage is expected to persist until at least 2008. With many jurisdictions now giving tax and rebate incentives, and/or net metering solar electric power can now pay for itself in ten to twenty years in a few places.

Technology

BIPV panels are a sandwich element composed of two metallic corrugated and ribbing sheets and, inside, of high-density polyurethane foam. The panel has a profile specifically designed to insert a custom-made photovoltaic module, considering the indispensable ventilation requirement on the rear surface of the module. Through the interstice an optimal level of working temperature is ensured for the system and the different thermal expansions are respected.

National developments

United Kingdom

In August 2006 there was widespread news coverage in the United Kingdom of the major high street electrical retailers (Currys) decision to stock PV modules, manufactured by Sharp, at a cost of one thousand pounds sterling per module. The retailer also provides an installation service. The Energy Saving Trust that administers UK government grants for domestic solar power systems estimates that an installation for an average-sized house would cost between £8,000 and £18,000, and yield annual savings between £75 and £125.[3]

France

In July 2006, the French government announced new photovoltaic feed-in tariffs.[4] The new tariffs have been designed to promote BIPV, and pay €0.30/kWh for normal PV installations and €0.55/kWh for BIPV installations.

China

In August 2006, China's leading panel manufacturer Suntech Power, purchased Japanese panel manufacturer MSK because their advanced BIPV designs would help them to enter new markets.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ buildingsolar.com: Building-Integrated Photovoltaics, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, accessed: 2007-03-23.
  2. ^ Terrasolar, accessed: 2007-03-23.
  3. ^ High street solar panels on sale, BBC online news, published: 2006-08-01, accessed: 2007-03-23.
  4. ^ New French Feed-in Tariff Law
  5. ^ Suntech Power buys BIPV panel manufacturer MSK


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