BIPV: standalone off-grid systems

October 30, 2013 1:14 pm

BIPV: standalone off-grid systemsBIPV was considered as a good-to-have product, but with the falling prices and increase in efficiency of PV modules, users have taken a note of the product
Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are photovoltaic materials/modules integrated with the exteriors of the building or with parts of the building to provide alternate or main source of electric power. The total BIPV system consists of structural elements that hold the modules and integrate with the building. It also involves cabling/wiring, solar inverters, storage system and so on as and when necessary.
Photovoltaic module is one of the new applications in India, though it has been in use in a few European and Western developed countries for long. Until recently, BIPV was considered as a “good to have” product but with the falling prices and increase in efficiency of PV modules, users have taken a note of the product. The seamless integration of BIPV with the exteriors/part of the building has added to the acceptability of BIPV among the end users and the key members of the building/construction value chain; namely, architects, town planners, developers, builders, EPC contractors etc.
In a few developed economies, the BIPV system is connected with the available utility grid to feed power apart from supplying power for internal use of the building. In India, BIPV has been used as standalone off-grid systems.
AdvantagesBIPV can be used for the dual purpose of producing electricity and serving as a building exterior materialIt provides better aesthetics compared to conventional building without glass panelsNo challenge of acquisition of land or using the building rooftops for installing PV rooftops can be used for other purposesIt can be integrated/retrofitted with an existing building. A large number of old buildings goes for renovation after a certain period of time. BIPV can be integrated with an old building up for renovation.
DisadvantagesIt has high initial capital costs. The cost of installing a BIPV system is about 20 25 per cent higher than an equivalent rooftop-based PV systemCompetition from other renewable energy technologies/solutions like micro wind turbines, hybrid solutions and others can restrict market penetration. There are other competitive and ready to integrate renewable energy solutions such as DG-Battery, DG- PV (Roof top PV) etc.
BIPV market drivers
Reduction in price and expectation that the price will further reduce for solar modules. The price of solar modules has come down drastically in the last 2-3 years and is expected to slip further. This would have a positive effect on the overall PV Industry. BIPV would also be benefited of this situation
The efficiency of solar modules is increasing. This augers well for the BIPV market as this is highly space dependent
Favourable central and state governments’ policies for solar power and government’s focus on increasing the contribution of solar power in the overall energy mix. This would drive the overall PV Industry. BIPV market would also benefit because of the favourable government policies
Involvement of wide arena of the building/construction value chain members (architects, town planners, developers, builders, EPC contractors etc.) which will help in the growth of the market. The growth of the on-grid and rooftop PV market is dependent largely on the government incentives. The growth of the BIPV market is not only driven by the government incentives, but also the push from the building/construction value chain members
Recently introduced BIPV products are available in customised shapes, which can be retrofitted with an existing building.
BIPV market restraints

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