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A. Virtuani
and system are fully integrated into the “skin” of the building, becoming a structural
element of the latter. In this case, besides generating electricity, BIPV modules need
to provide to the building the same functionalities as provided by building elements,
such as protection against noise and water ingress, and fire resistance. They are
responsible as well for the building’s performance in terms of heat retention and user
comfort.
BIPV systems add complexity to the design and installation phase and are more
expensive than conventional standardized PV products. On the other hand, in the case
of the construction of new buildings and of the renovation of older buildings, BIPV
installations could become competitive with more conventional BAPV systems [5],
and possibly also with conventional building elements. BIPV installations should in
principle be favoured over BAPV ones, as they are more easily harmonised into the
built environment and urban landscapes.
Estimates show that well-oriented roofs and façades have the potential to provide up to 30% of the Swiss annual electricity demand (~20 TWh). In Europe, the
potential of PV in buildings is estimated at more than 22% of the electricity demand
expected in 2030, and similar studies exist for other countries including India [6],
China [7], and Brazil [8]. In reality, the potential of solar PV on buildings is much
higher. Therefore, solar PV on buildings could globally play a major role in decarbonizing the overall energy system, particularly in densely built and highly populated
areas. Boxes 11.6, 11.7, 11.8 and 11.9 give examples of residential BAPV and BIPV
systems and an industrial rooftop PV system.
Box 6–Residential rooftop PV: Building-Added PV (BAPV)
See (Fig. 11.6).
Plant description: The plant has a south-west exposure and a 14° tilt; it is
installed on top of an existing roof made of traditional terracotta roof tiles. It
generates an average of 5,000 kWh/y and was connected to the grid in 2008.
It consists of 24 poly-crystalline modules.
Business model: The plant benefits from the 2nd “Conto Energia” feed-in
tariff program. The power generated by the plant is awarded a premium price
of 0.42 e/kWh for 20 years.
Box 7–Residential rooftop PV: Building-Added PV (BAPV)
See (Fig. 11.7).
Plant description: This 93.8 kW BAPV plant consists of 552 CIGS modules
(from Solar Frontier) fixed on the rooftop with a tubular mounting system
(from Schweizer). The plant has an estimated energy yield of 103,060 kW/y
(per year). The solar power is used for domestic purposes by the 54 apartments
located in the house. To increase self-consumption when the sun is not shining,
A. Virtuani
and system are fully integrated into the “skin” of the building, becoming a structural
element of the latter. In this case, besides generating electricity, BIPV modules need
to provide to the building the same functionalities as provided by building elements,
such as protection against noise and water ingress, and fire resistance. They are
responsible as well for the building’s performance in terms of heat retention and user
comfort.
BIPV systems add complexity to the design and installation phase and are more
expensive than conventional standardized PV products. On the other hand, in the case
of the construction of new buildings and of the renovation of older buildings, BIPV
installations could become competitive with more conventional BAPV systems [5],
and possibly also with conventional building elements. BIPV installations should in
principle be favoured over BAPV ones, as they are more easily harmonised into the
built environment and urban landscapes.
Estimates show that well-oriented roofs and façades have the potential to provide up to 30% of the Swiss annual electricity demand (~20 TWh). In Europe, the
potential of PV in buildings is estimated at more than 22% of the electricity demand
expected in 2030, and similar studies exist for other countries including India [6],
China [7], and Brazil [8]. In reality, the potential of solar PV on buildings is much
higher. Therefore, solar PV on buildings could globally play a major role in decarbonizing the overall energy system, particularly in densely built and highly populated
areas. Boxes 11.6, 11.7, 11.8 and 11.9 give examples of residential BAPV and BIPV
systems and an industrial rooftop PV system.
Box 6–Residential rooftop PV: Building-Added PV (BAPV)
See (Fig. 11.6).
Plant description: The plant has a south-west exposure and a 14° tilt; it is
installed on top of an existing roof made of traditional terracotta roof tiles. It
generates an average of 5,000 kWh/y and was connected to the grid in 2008.
It consists of 24 poly-crystalline modules.
Business model: The plant benefits from the 2nd “Conto Energia” feed-in
tariff program. The power generated by the plant is awarded a premium price
of 0.42 e/kWh for 20 years.
Box 7–Residential rooftop PV: Building-Added PV (BAPV)
See (Fig. 11.7).
Plant description: This 93.8 kW BAPV plant consists of 552 CIGS modules
(from Solar Frontier) fixed on the rooftop with a tubular mounting system
(from Schweizer). The plant has an estimated energy yield of 103,060 kW/y
(per year). The solar power is used for domestic purposes by the 54 apartments
located in the house. To increase self-consumption when the sun is not shining,