Integrated Photovoltaics: the next big thing for 2011?

The most recent press release from the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) reports that in 2010, solar photovoltaic power was the leading renewable energy technology in terms of new capacity growth by almost 13,000 MW in Europe.

In laypersons terms, the energy output of these new PV installations is equivalent to the electricity production of two large coal-fired power plants. At the end of 2010, the cumulative installed capacity of PV in the EU totalled more than 28,000 MW, with an energy output that equals the electricity consumption of around 10 million households in Europe.

The Photovoltaic market, and more specifically, the Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) market, has been a slow–burner for more than 20 years now. Yes, it’s been showcased and incorporated in a few countries with varying degree of aesthetical success, but, as these latest findings would suggest - are times finally beginning to change in this area? Could 2011 be THE year that BIPVs start defining the architectural future around the globe?

Leading solar technology and material developers such as Schott Solar, Scheuten Solar, SunPower, Suntech and Dyesol have been hard at work for many years to develop these products, but they’ve never really offered the complete package of cost-effectiveness and good looks to go all the way. In the early days, there were solar panels mounted directly onto a building roof with minimal aesthetic considerations, making the panels look somewhat like the afterthought they invariably were; this gave way to building-integrated PV systems, where PV modules replaced parts of the building envelope, providing functional considerations and lowering costs – progress, but not quite enough.

Most recently, we have been given exciting new products that incorporate PVmodules into actual building materials, such as curtain walls, windows, and roofing shingles. These thin-film PV technologies allow the seamless integration of PVs onto buildings, and offer a much more attractive package of superior flexibility, minimal weight, the improved ability to perform in variable lighting conditions and, of course, a significantly improved external appearance. The result of which, has the potential to be stunning.

Indeed, at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi last month (January 2011), there was a strong emphasis on the use of solar sources to create renewable energy with a large number of international companies presenting their latest developments of PV systems. Karl Myhill, Director atWoods Hardwick was there to soak up the information and speak with some of these companies about the recent developments in BIPVS and their potential to shape the future of architecture.As one of the UK’s leading multi-disciplined architectural practices, Woods Hardwick have already incorporated PV panels on the roofs of some of their industrial buildings, but this next stage in the development certainly looks like it’s going to be a defining moment in architectural history.

Karl Myhill commented, “speaking with companies such as Schott Solar about the recent developments in PVs was extremely interesting. At Woods Hardwick, we are very serious about the state of the environment, and the huge part architectural organisations such as ourselves have to play in, ultimately, aspiring for zero carbon buildings. We are very excited about incorporating BIPVs into our future designs and look forward to creating buildings that don’t just cut waste and damage to the environment, but look great too.”

In the UK, of course, we have the added incentive of the feed-in tariff (FIT), which, from April 2010, has allowed householders and businesses to be paid for generating their own electricity from renewable or low-carbon sources. The tariff has been introduced by the Government to help increase the level of renewable energy in the UK towards the legally binding target of 15% of total energy from renewables by 2020 (up from under 2% in 2009).

If the main players in the BIPV supply chain can continue to develop their products, there is no reason why this target set by the Government cannot be achieved. Although still in its infancy in many countries, including the UK, integrated photovoltaic facades have evolved greatly in recent years, and now offer the complete package of being cost-effective and environmentally friendly with good looks to boot.

Although there is still room for improvement, it would seem the bulk of the hard graft has now been achieved on these products, and Woods Hardwick for one, cannot wait to work with them and design some of the stunning buildings of the future.

If you have a project you would like to talk to Woods Hardwick about, or simply for more information about us, go to our website.