What is a BIPV system

Marley solar panels on a domestic house

Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) are photovoltaic (solar) products that can be integrated into a building to replace conventional parts of the structure, such as roof slates or tiles and roof windows, for example. Solar tiles such as the Marley SolarTile® are gaining popularity and replaces conventional roof tiles to generate electricity from the sun.

A complete BIPV system is made up using some or all of the following components:

 

  • PV modules, for example, a solar tile which capture the sun’s energy.
  • An inverter which converts the DC output from the panels into AC power suitable for use by the property. When demand of the property is low, for example during the daytime when occupants are away from the home, any excess power generated by the solar array can be diverted to a storage battery or exported to the electricity grid.
  • A storage battery - the size and capacity will vary depending on the building’s size and use.
  • Finally, the fixings and mounting hardware, connecting cables, and safety disconnects including arc protection devices such as the Marley’s ArcBox.

 

What is the best place to locate a BIPV system?

A BIPV system needs to be positioned on the building where it will receive the most sunshine, this is usually on the roof or high up away from shade. In the UK and other Northern Hemisphere countries, the panels are ideally installed facing south in order to receive as much sunlight as possible. As anyone with a south-facing garden in the UK will know, facing this direction means the sun is visible for most of the day compared to facing north which is away from the sun and in shade for most of the day. If a PV panel is not facing towards the south, it will still produce electricity, just not as much. A panel facing fully north will produce around 40%[1] less electricity per year compared to the same south-facing panel. A panel facing fully west produces around 15%[2] less electricity than a panel facing south. In the UK, the ideal angle for a solar panel is between 30 and 45 degrees from the horizon.

Why use a BIPV system?

With rising energy costs, many people are turning to solar energy to help reduce their bills. Solar PV panels are increasingly used on buildings, sometimes fitted to a frame which is then attached to the roof. An integrated solar tile system provides a much more aesthetically pleasing finish to the building and forms part of the roof covering. Where traditional solar panels are installed onto a roof, a gap is formed between the rear of the panel and the roof finish, this can be attractive to nesting birds causing a mess and can affect the performance of the panels. The Marley’s SolarTile® is integrated into the roof finish, flush with the tiles, so there is  no perch  for birds to land on and encourage nesting at the back or under the panels.

What are the advantages of BIPV?

Traditional solar panels can be unsightly as they are usually added to a property after its construction. The main advantage of BIPV is the aesthetics. A solar tile forms part of the roof covering and seamlessly integrates into the building, giving it a much cleaner and neater look.

Using integrated solar roof tiles can make roof maintenance easier when compared to add-on PV panels, for example, should a tile fail and need replacing, the cost and complexity of doing so is considerably higher if it is located behind an above-roof solar PV system. The system must be decommissioned and the PV panel above the tile removed for it to be replaced, then the PV system has to be reassembled and recommissioned. A job that could have been completed using a ladder now requires scaffolding and electrical works.[3]

Does BIPV cost more than conventional PV panels?

Compared to conventional PV panels, BIPV can cost more but some of this is offset by the cost of the materials that would have been used if the BIPV wasn’t fitted plus its installation cost. In some cases these costs can be substantial, in one example, a building roof was finished with Welsh slate and the money saved by using fewer slates was equivalent to the cost of the PV tiles.

When considering a solar PV system as part of your design for a new building or refurbishment, using BIPV means that your installation will be far more aesthetically pleasing and easier to maintain than a conventional system. A building designed incorporating BIPV can be beautiful as well as functional.

If you are looking for a BIPV solution, Marley’s SolarTile® is the perfect choice for providing a roof integrated covering and electricity generating solution. Our panel is available in a 410 Wp and can be installed in portrait or landscape orientation. 

To find out more, view our renewable solutions and see how Marley BIPV solutions can fit into your project.




[1] https://nxtgenenergy.co.uk/blog/north-vs-south-facing-solar-panels-which-is-best/
[2] https://www.eco-home-essentials.co.uk/solar-panel-orientation.html
[3] http://www.solarblogger.net/2018/05/bipv.html

Category: Solar