Global BIPV Market Opportunities And Future Scope

Photovoltaics (PV) Technologies : 

A photovoltaic system is constructed by assembling a number of individual collectors called modules electrically and mechanically into an array.PV is a technology that converts light directly into electricity.

As of now two basic commercial PV module technologies available in market :

1. Thick crystal products.
2. Thin-film products. 

The photovoltaic process : from solar radiation to grid-connected energy

Source : http://www.sapa-solar.com

Building Integrated Photovoltaics :

Source :www.hisupplier.com

Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) is the integration of photovoltaics (PV) into the building envelope which includes roof, skylights, building team along the entire supply chain - including architects, building designers, engineers, building owners and utility companies.

After more than 20 years of R&D and fancy showcase projects the segment of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is beginning to emerge in the marketplace , due to the vision of leading solar technology and material developers which includes  Scheuten Solar (The Netherlands), Würth Solar (Germany), Dow Solar (U.S.), and Suntech Power (China).The total BIPV market is expected to reach $12.73 billion by 2016 at a CAGR of 16.9% from 2011 to 2016 as per the new market research report, “Global Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) Market, By Products, Technologies & Applications (2011 - 2016)”, published by MarketsandMarkets (www.marketsandmarkets.com).

A complete BIPV system includes:

1. PV modules.
2. a charge controller, to regulate the power into and out of the battery storage bank .
3. a power storage system, generally comprised of the utility grid in utility-interactive systems or, a number of batteries in stand-alone systems.
4. power conversion equipment including an inverter to convert the PV modules' DC output to AC compatible with the utility grid
5. backup power supplies such as diesel generators
6. appropriate support and mounting hardware, wiring, and safety disconnects.

Source : www2.dupont.com

PV modules actually came to replace parts of the building envelope, providing functional considerations and lowering costs. More recently, thin-film PV technologies have begun to enable the seamless integration of PV onto buildings, and will likely succeed in markets where their superior flexibility, minimal weight, and improved ability to perform in variable lighting conditions gives them a significant competitive advantage over conventional solar technologies.  BIPV systems should be approached to where energy conscious design techniques have been employed, and equipment and systems have been carefully selected and specified. They should be viewed in terms of life-cycle cost, and not just initial, first-cost because the overall cost may be reduced by the avoided costs of the building materials and labor they replace. Design considerations for BIPV systems must include the building's use and electrical loads, its location and orientation, the appropriate building and safety codes, and the relevant utility issues and costs.

Source : www.hiwtc.com

Building Integrated Photovoltaics- An emerging market

 

Source : www.marketsandmarkets.com