The importance of hybrid PV-building integration

An extensive utilization of photovoltaics for future electricity generation and for hybrid generation of electricity and thermal energy is possible, when PV-panels are designed to become a part of the building envelope itself. Large areas are available, since roofs and facades are perfectly suited for solar energy conversion. TALENTS ENERGY LTD has developed special PV-generators which fulfill at the same time the functions and requirements of conventional building elements. In the context of different R&D projects funded by the Swiss government to implement a series of typical building integrated photovoltaic systems, ATLANTIS ENERGY LTD was entrusted to design and build various hybrid building integrated PV-power plants. The following PV-building integrated systems are briefly discussed: the factory building `Aerni´ consisting of a 9 kW<sub>el</sub> vertical PV-facade and of a hybrid 53 kW<sub>el</sub> PV-system integrated into the skylights; the multifunctional PV-facade `Scheidegger´ with an installed peak power of 18 kW_el; the hybrid PV-shingle roof `Brig´ with an installed peak power of 15 kW<sub>el</sub> and 30 kW<sub>th</sub>; and the 8.4 kW <sub>el</sub>, 12 kW<sub>th</sub> hybrid PV-shingle roof `Rigi´