Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) is one of the fastest growing segments of the photovoltaic industry. When PV panels are integrated into a building during construction, the incremental costs of the system are reduced while the building owner is provided with tangible, cost-saving advantages such as significantly reduced demand for peak electricity, reduced transmission losses and the ability of back-up power.

Terra Solar is uniquely positioned to be a leader in the BIPV market. The Terra Solar modules are made of a single glass sheet. These sheets can be produced in several colors enabling the panels to look like an integral part of a building's exterior. In addition, Terra Solar produces translucent or patterned panels which offer an aesthetic effect. Finally, Terra Solar is currently developing a new generation of transparent modules which can be used as electricity generating windows.

BIPV best demonstrates the multi-functionality of PV. BIPV gives buildings the opportunity to become more self-sufficient by allowing them to generate their own electricity rather than merely consume energy. PV integrated into a building can, as a second function, also provide shade, insulation and help to control the interior climate.

Thin-film PV modules are more suitable for BIPV. Crystalline silicon modules not only lack the aesthetic and physical properties required for BIPV installations but their significantly higher cost per area makes them uneconomical for project managers. Terra Solar believes that financial incentives offered by many governments, low incremental costs and the highly desirable return on investment will create a surge in demand for BIPV products. Terra Solar has not only the most suitable BIPV product but also unique architectural expertise through its relationship with Kiss + Cathcart, a leader since 1983 in the integration of photovoltaic (PV) technology and architectural design.

In the developing world, BIPV installations are the most desirable. This is because BIPV doesn't use any extra space and because the material savings from replacing ordinary construction material with BIPV substantially reduces the cost of the installed pv system and thus the cost of pv electricity.

Thin-film BIPV Advantages
• Large area (up to 5'x10') BIPV modules
• Transparent modules for use in window applications
• Colored BIPV modules

Case Studies

Insolation tables

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