BIPV in Architecture

Alpha Solar Tech (AST) recently engaged Incite Energy to provide an engineering proof-of-concept for their patented Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) product. Incite Energy Engineer, Matias Valdes reviews the innovative study undertaken;

“BIPV refers to the use of photovoltaic modules to replace conventional materials as part of building envelope, such as the roof or the façade.

The study evaluated the expected yield from BIPV integrated into the sides of a 30-storey office building, replacing traditional glass windows with semi-transparent thin-film and crystalline solar panels. The effect of near-field shading was also considered.

A key advantage of BIPV in this context is the use of large contiguous areas oriented in different cardinal directions, which provides an aggregated generation profile that is remarkably consistent throughout the year and well-aligned with typical building loads.

BIPV makes the outer layer of a building serve the dual function of structure, and solar electricity generation, for on-site consumption or export to the grid. This provides peak shaving and demand side management (DSM) capabilities, resulting in energy cost savings and reducing the building’s carbon footprint.

Global Industry Analysts (GIA) estimates that the global BIPV market will reach nearly $20b by 2026!”

Incite Energy is proud to support local companies like Alpha Solar Tech to help bring the next generation of solar technology to market and we wish them well in the next stages of development.

You can find out more about Alpha Solar Tech’s BIPV solution here: https://alphasolartech.com/