Building Integrated Photovoltaics: Technology Market Penetration and Roadmapping

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Building Integrated Photovoltaics: Technology Market Penetration and Roadmapping offers insights on the roadmap and penetration prospects of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). The study provides recommendations for stakeholders to enhance their penetration in the market along with an overview of key drivers and challenges, region-wise technology adoption and demand-side analysis. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following: first generation PV technologies and second generation thin film technologies.

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Technology Overview

Although BIPVs are largely untapped compared to other microgeneration solutions, pressing environmental issues are propelling the technology to the forefront. With the alarm bells ringing louder over climate change and global warming, there is growing concern over issues such as energy consumption, pollution, and rampant depletion of non-renewable resources. Rising environmental awareness is evident not only among the general public, but also in the commercial sector where corporate social responsibility (CSR) is viewed as an essential activity as well as an investment in goodwill. Green initiatives spearheaded by the US government under the leadership of Barack Obama and agile strategies deployed by the European Union to ramp up energy efficiency have energized R&D activities in the field of photovoltaics (PVs), biofuels, and so on, notes the analyst of this research service. With these countries striving for radical change in the renewable energy domain in terms of both cost-effectiveness and efficiency, greater allocation of funds for the implementation of green and smart technologies in new buildings is expected. Additionally, tax benefits and incentives are driving some of the green technologies such as BIPVs.

From the perspective of cost, first generation PVs score over second generation PVs. Thin-film technology is being developed to bring down the prices of PVs; however, it is still in a nascent stage and can only become cheaper when large-scale manufacturing commences. If thin-film technologies can match up to the conversion efficiency of first-generation PV in a span seven to ten years, then it could displace crystalline technology. Within this time frame, third-generation PV could be expected to enter the BIPV market in a very small way with slightly improved conversion efficiency. Current PV modules are mostly designed for autonomous PV systems. Therefore, there is no particular set of products that are being produced specifically for BIPV. As BIPV products for every building are unique, material manufacturers find it difficult to design and produce standard building products for mass production. Only a few companies have so far come up with standard BIPV products for roof top materials such as solar roof shingles.

Development of specific BIPV products will allow for easier integration and better aesthetics. Certain building components such as shades, roofs, and facades could be standardized to encourage the development of BIPV products. Thin-film developers must partner with glass or coatings manufacturers to promote BIPV panels as a standard construction building product. Electricity prices have seen an upward trend during the past few years. Eventually, grid parity will be achieved and microgeneration through BIPV will ensure competitive prices. This is seen as a factor that will induce demand for PV systems and other renewable energy sources, going forward. Solution providers must focus greater attention on R&D to roll out smarter grids, meters, and software, concludes the analyst. Also, spirited R & D collaboration among peers would be a surefire route to wider adoption within the next five to seven years.

Market Sectors

Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:

• First generation PV technologies
• Second generation thin film technologies

Key Topics Covered:

• Executive Summary
• Technology Snapshot and Trends
• Impact Assessment & Analysis
• Diffusion of Innovations and Needs Assessment
• Opportunity Evaluation and Roadmapping
• Key Contacts
• Key Patents
• Appendix A Analytical Hierarchy Process
• Appendix B Opportunity Assessment

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This article is also available in Belorussian.