Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) – The Next Stage In PV Cell Innovation.

Given the steady rise in the prices of fossil fuels like oil, natural gas and coal, more people are looking for cost effective alternatives that are friendlier to the environment. Utilizing solar energy is an increasingly viable alternative as development costs go down, energy efficiency goes up and governments become more keen to give grants and rebates to people using solar power systems. This article will discuss building integrated photovoltaic cells in the context of a home solar power system.

Photovoltaic (PV) cells use sunlight to create direct current electricity. Photons from sunlight react with a PV cell to displace an electron. This causes a current to flow from one side of the cell to the other. This current can be stored in a battery and used to power appliances or converted to alternating current and used in homes or transported to other locations.

Electrons are displaced because of the PV cell is made of crystalline silicon that reacts with photons of a certain strength and frequency. By increasing the number of cells and configuring them in a serial circuit the voltage can be increased. This is commonly known as a PV module or panel that you have probably seen on many a roof top. The amount of current produced is directly proportional to the surface area of the PV module.

As mentioned, you are probably familiar with solar panels because you can see them on numerous rooftops throughout your neighborhood. The latest adaption of photovoltaics is building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). These will be a lot harder to spot.

Building-integrated photovoltaic panels are integrated into the house or office either as part of the roof or some other structure. Rather than being installed above the roof on a separate frame, the BIPVs are part of the roof.

BIPV modules use a different form of silicon, known as amorphous silicon to create the cells. The cells are considerably lighter than traditional PV cells. A series of BIPV modules can cover the entire roof and would not be that noticeable unless you knew what to look for. This is the main attraction for builders of homes that will have a solar powers system installed at the construction phase. BIPV modules can also be added after the building has been completed. Typically that can be added to the facade of the house. Facade integrated photovoltaic panels are popular in large office buildings, again, because they do not spoil the aesthetic appeal of the building.