What is a BIPV solar panel & how does it work?

While traditional solar panels usually don't provide any actual structural function to the buildings they're installed on, BIPV does. At its core, BIPV is a category of dual-purpose solar products. Building-integrated photovoltaics generate solar electricity and work as a structural part of a building.

What is a photovoltaic solar panel?

Get your products in front of the AEC industry’s most renowned designers by submitting today. Photovoltaics — also known as solar panels — are one of the most reliable methods for producing renewable energy in the world. Using an array of photovoltaic cells, these technologies absorb and convert sunlight into clean, usable electricity.

Are building-integrated photovoltaics a viable alternative to solar energy harvesting?

Historically, solar energy harvesting has been expensive, relatively inefficient, and hampered by poor design. Existing building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) have proven to be less practical and economically unfeasible for large-scale adoption due to design limitations and poor aesthetics.

Can a BIPV solar roof be used in a residential building?

Today, most BIPV products are designed for large commercial buildings, like an apartment complex or community center. However, there will always be exceptions, and the widely-known Tesla Solar Roof is a prime example of BIPV's rising popularity within residential home construction.

How does a photovoltaic system work?

Using an array of photovoltaic cells, these technologies absorb and convert sunlight into clean, usable electricity. Whenever integrating photovoltaics into a project, one of the first step is determining the size of the system and how much of the building’s energy it will support.

Can a PV array be matched to a roof?

Backsheet: PV arrays can be matched to the roofing of a building by customizing the color of the module frame and backsheet. Modules with black frames and black back-sheets meld visually with a dark-colored roofing surface, while bronze frames may be a good match for clay roof tiles or brown-colored shingles or metal.