一、What is BIPV?

BIPV is the integration of photovoltaic buildings, that is, the photovoltaic power generation device into the building, into one, become an organic whole, both architectural and power generation functions. Unlike the solar roof power station BAPV on common roofs, where photovoltaic systems are attached to buildings, BIPV itself is a building material. The development of BIPV has undergone three generations of change, and it is becoming more and more perfect in terms of price/performance ratio and appearance.

1.     The first generation of BIPV looks similar to BAPV.

Photovoltaic arrays are installed on the surface of buildings with some additional support and fixtures, and the integration with the building body remains low.

2.      The second generation comes from space science and technology solar power generation technology, weather resistance is good.

Photovoltaic modules are fully integrated with building materials to reduce costs and look good. However, the power electronic transformation device and the connection structure demand is large, the reliability is low, the maintenance cost is high.

3.      The third generation BIPV is aimed at smart grid technology, combining photovoltaic systems, building materials and electrical energy transformation supporting devices, highly integrated system, strong anti-shadow capability and parameter matching capability, simple electrical system connection, easy to maintain. Component appearance also has a certain aesthetic, support customization, not easy to be recognized as photovoltaic panels.

At present, the application of BIPV has expanded from the early single roof to all aspects of architecture, such as photovoltaic conventional roofs or transparent lighting roofs, curtain walls, sun visors, platforms, electronic trees and other scenes.

二、BIPV advantages

BIPV as a new solution for building photovoltaics, in terms of safety, ornamental, convenient and economical have certain advantages.

(1) BIPV does not require additional devices to secure photovoltaic equipment, and its photovoltaic modules are not exposed to the same as BAPV, not susceptible to external forces, more safe;

(2) BIPV because of its construction difficulty, short duration, installation convenience is higher than BAPV;

(3) BIPV avoids the cost of walls and fixtures, the convenience of maintenance reduces the damage to existing buildings, reduces maintenance costs;

(4) The deep integration of photovoltaic modules and buildings improves the stability of BIPV. It has a long service life of longer than BAPV and has a certain economy;

(5) BIPV integrates photovoltaic modules into building materials to make the building more integral and can be customized to make them more ornamental by changing the color, shape and transparency of the components.

三、Why say BIPV will become the mainstream form of distributed photovoltaics in the future?

In March 2021, at a press conference of the State Energy Administration, Zhang Jianhua, director of the State Energy Administration, explicitly proposed to promote the integration of building photovoltaics and other green energy models. For a long time, local governments have also been actively introducing policies to encourage the development of BIPV. At present, China's photovoltaic building application area accounted for only about 1% of existing buildings, and mostly to industrial and commercial roof applications. As photovoltaic modules are gradually reduced in price, the combination of photovoltaic roofs and single-story roofing systems becomes more economical. Against the backdrop of the country's policy of promoting "carbon neutrality" and green buildings, the BIPV industry is expected to accelerate gradually and bring new industry growth opportunities to the related construction industry.