BIPV, or Building Integrated Photovoltaic, is a solar photovoltaic power generation system that is designed, constructed and installed at the same time as the building and is perfectly integrated with the building, also known as "building-type" and "building material-type" solar photovoltaic buildings. As part of the external structure of a building, it has the function of both power generation and building components and building materials, and can even enhance the aesthetics of the building, forming a perfect unity with the building.
BAPV is a solar photovoltaic system attached to a building, also known as a "mounted" solar PV building. Its main function is to generate electricity without conflicting with the function of the building and without destroying or weakening the function of the original building.
Simply put, BIPV can be used for two purposes, as a replacement for roofs, skylights, building facades, etc. The industry in China usually calls BIPV as "photovoltaic building" or "photovoltaic building integration". BAPV, on the other hand, is only a photovoltaic material attached to a building and does not assume the function of the building.
The difference between BIPV and BAPV
The difference between the two is that: BIPV has played the role of building materials as an essential part of the building, not only to meet the functional requirements of photovoltaic power generation at the same time can also take into account the functional requirements of the building, is a combination of photovoltaic products and building materials, can replace some of the traditional building materials, in the architectural design stage of integrated design, in the construction of the building with the main body of the integrated molding. The modules in BAPV buildings are only attached to the building through a simple support structure, and the building function remains intact after the PV modules are removed.
BIPV is designed with solar power generation equipment-solar panels as various forms of building decoration materials, replacing glass curtain walls, exterior decorative stone, roof tiles and other traditional building materials, while serving as a solar photovoltaic power generation system to provide green, environmentally friendly, clean electricity for the electricity load. The building will lose these functions after taking away the PV modules, which provide shelter from wind and rain and insulation. BAPV will not increase the water and wind resistance of the building. Moreover, BAPV will increase the building load and affect the overall effect of the building. In addition, BAPV also has the problem of repeated construction for the building surface, which is a serious waste of building materials.
BIPV structure should follow the "building materials" related specifications and technical requirements, not simply mechanically "tied together", but highly concentrated integration, for "1 + 1 = 1 ". The BAPV is split and can be used separately, and the PV modules can still be used independently when disassembled.
The combination of photovoltaic and building can effectively reduce building energy consumption, and vigorously develop low-carbon and zero-carbon buildings, which is of great practical significance for energy conservation and emission reduction and environmental protection.
As the maturity of the PV industry continues to improve, the economics of "PV+Building" is also gradually improving. With the gradual scarcity of ground-level power stations and high-quality large rooftop resources, along with the further decline in PV costs, the huge market for PV building integration has begun to attract the attention of capitalists in the market. In the next five years, China's BIPV market will enter a period of rapid development, the momentum of speed up has already appeared.