BIPV
Building Integrated Photovoltaics provide decentralised energy generation for self-sufficient buildings
Buildings currently make up around 40% of total energy use in the European Union. Solutions such as ETFE can play a key role in improving energy efficiency in buildings, but energy efficiency needs to be coupled with renewable energy solutions for greatest impact. Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) are PV materials that are integrated into a building during construction, requiring specialised materials and integrated planning and design.
Increasingly, people are turning to decentralised and renewable energy generation for a wide variety of applications. With the recognition that PV systems are reliable producers of electricity that require minimum maintenance and have a proven life-span of 20-30 years, BIPV is a fast growing industry. BIPV modules are usually installed on roofs, but can also be integrated into walls, façades and glazing, and increasingly novel uses are emerging.