Building-integrated PV modules

The first installation of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) was realized in 1991 in Aachen, Germany (Benemann et al., Adv. Sol. Energy 13 (1999) 317). The photovoltaic elements were integrated into a curtain wall façade with isolating glass. Today, photovoltaic modules for building integration are produced as a standard building product, fitting into standard façade and roof structures these elements created a whole new market: BIPV. Since then building integration is one of the fastest growing market segments in photovoltaics. An impressive solar installation, the Academy Mont-Cenis in Herne (Germany) with more than 10 000 m2 of photovoltaics integrated into the roof and façade was finished in March this year. Several other large-scale projects are under construction or in the planning phase.