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Commercial BIPV Systems

The acronym of BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) refers to photovoltaic systems that are typically incorporated within the buildings exterior façade or roof in manner that blends architecturally.   Though they can be added to a building at any time, BIPV systems are best suited when they are planned together with the other building elements during the planning phase.   Specific task cooperation is usually required of many different professionals such as architects, engineers, PV system designers – and the building owner!

Building Integrated Photovoltaics is one of the fastest growing segments of the photovoltaic industry. When PV panels are integrated into a building during construction, the incremental cost of the system is 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.  Various incentive programs exist to encourage building owners to install such systems.  See our link for such programs at: http://www.matrixenergy.ca/about-us/useful-links.html

In the case of facade or roof systems the photovoltaic system is added to the building after it was built these low powered systems of up 10 kW are usually integrated into the south facade.  Commonly referred to as "curtain wall PV", or BIPV facade mounted solar systems may incorporate different types of modules such as mono or polycrystalline modules, or transparent amorphous modules such as Photovol™. In such cases natural light is transferred into the building through the modules while reducing the cooling load of the building at the same time. Photovoltaic systems may be used for shadowing, where photovoltaic modules serve as Venetian blinds mounted exterior to the building. In some of such cases photovoltaic modules tilt angle is set to shadowing the windows to reduce air conditioning loads or direct sunlight penetration during the summer season, yet allowing adequate sunlight for daylighting and passive solar heating during the winter months.  There is no limitation for imagination of the architect or the designer.

Roof-integrated photovoltaic systems are, as the name would imply, installed on or constructed within the roof itself. Such systems are added to a flat roof, or on a tilted roof usually only if the roof angle is small.  Care must be taken to account for wind and snow loads that will have an impact on the building’s structural integrity or shading of various roof top elements such as HVAC equipment and chimneys which can shade the solar array and reduce the energy potential.  Projects realized in the past show that successful BIPV systems design is based heavily on technical experience and knowledge.   Poorly designed systems usually have to be redesigned or repaired later, consequently swelling maintenance costs or reducing the anticipated energy harvest.

The many types of photovoltaic roofing products complement many different roofing materials including asphalt shingles, metal roofing, membranes or gravel.  Some BIPV roofing products are produced by manufacturers whose products are designed to serve both functions -- as a roofing material to protect the structure and as an electrical device to produce electricity.  PV systems can be sized on a small scale to produce a limited amount of energy or be large enough to power an entire building and send excess electricity to the utility. 

Depending upon the application different types of modules can be used: classic (framed) crystalline or modules, flexible thin-film on metal substrate, tubular copper indium gallium selenide (or CIGS) such as Solyndra™, transparent mono or poly crystalline module laminates.

Contact your Matrix representative to know more about our standard commercial systems from 1 – 30 kWp or to know more about a custom system for your building.

The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.