Building integrated photovoltaics, or BIPV, are functional building materials that generate solar power. If the thought of shingles, windows, canopies, and siding doubling as a solar energy system for your home is interesting to you, you can do it.
We’ll go over the basics of BIPV products and the challenges and opportunities with this niche clean-energy tech.
See how much you can save by going solar with Palmetto
What Are Building Integrated Photovoltaics, or BIPV?
The term BIPV can be used to describe any integrated building materials or feature (i.e. the roof tiles, siding, or windows) that also generates photovoltaic solar electricity.
Producing solar power and serving a functional building purpose (i.e. protecting the property, letting light in, or providing insulation), BIPV are classified as dual-use photovoltaic (PV) technologies.
With many different BIPV products available now and in the future, the technology has a tremendous amount of potential to redefine sustainable building practices and clean energy production for residential homes, small businesses, towering skyscrapers, sports stadiums, and everything in between.
Popular BIPV Products
BIPVs are helping homeowners, businesses, and communities meet green, renewable energy and sustainable building goals all over the world. While there are plenty of technologies still in development, here are a few of the most prominent BIPV products available today or in the near future:
Solar shingles
Solar shingles (also known as solar roofing or solar roof tiles) are the most widely-known building integrated solar product in use today. Solar roofing is generally seen as an alternative to traditional solar panels, able to generate electricity and function as a roof shingle or tile at the same time.
Solar shingles currently lag behind solar panels, but plenty of companies have brought their products to the market.
Solar shingle companies:
Solar windows and skylights
Solar windows and solar skylights appear and operate as ordinary windows, while simultaneously generating emission-free electricity.
Although many labs and manufacturers are exploring the space, commercially available solar windows and skylights are tough to find for sale as an average consumer in the mid-2020s. With that said, there are three primary types of solar window/skylight technologies in use and development today.
First, photovoltaic glass utilizes transparent solar cells to generate electricity in a way that is completely undetected by the untrained eye.
Second, other “solar windows” may be lined with tiny solar cells around their frame, which harness the light captured and dispersed by the product’s special glass pane.
Third, some semi-transparent films or treatments can be applied to ordinary glass surfaces to transform them into “solar windows” or “solar skylights.”
With any type of current or future solar window technology, the goal and results are always going to be the same: to let light in while also creating solar electricity.
Solar window and skylight companies:
Solar canopies and carports
Conversely, solar canopies, also known as solar awnings, essentially perform the opposite function of solar windows. While they both are used to generate solar electricity, solar canopies block sunlight out, whether that is on your porch, driveway, or raised above a large commercial parking lot.
Solar canopies are primarily used as solar carports to shade vehicles parked in shopping centers, airports, business campuses, and more. When integrated with electric vehicle chargers, solar canopies can be used to power EVs with solar energy.
With options for building integration and standalone installations, solar canopies and solar carports may be constructed in a variety of ways. While there are some prefabricated solar carport and solar canopy suppliers out there, these dual-function installations can also be created using traditional solar panels.
Solar siding, bricks, facades, and more
BIPV technology is advancing in many different directions with interesting products launching year after year. While there is always something new to explore, sustainable builders may now begin to think about incorporating solar-powered technology into their siding, bricks, facades, and practically every other building feature that is exposed to direct sunlight.
Solar siding, bricks, and facades are more available for new construction and commercial-scale projects now, but could become more widespread as they grow.
See how much you can save by going solar with Palmetto
Pros and Cons of BIPV
While most people would like to save money by going green, BIPVs face challenges stunting their widespread adoption, such as limited availability, high upfront investment costs, and uncertainty for project design, permitting, and performance.
For a detailed analysis of BIPV’s benefits, pros, and cons, you may findthis resource from the Department of Energy to be helpful. In short, here is a quick look at the main opportunities and challenges building integrated solar technologies face today.
| Opportunities | Challenges |
|---|---|
| Dual-purpose building features | Early stages of technology development |
| Lower property power costs | High investment costs |
| Emission-free electricity onsite | Design and permitting uncertainty |
| Qualification for green building incentives and sustainable construction certifications | Specialized maintenance required |
| Significant ROI for large buildings | Out of reach for most residential installations |
The Future of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
In summary, building integrated photovoltaics are an important green energy technology with the potential to redefine sustainable building practices.
Although many BIPV products are not yet available to average consumers, technologies like solar windows, solar shingles, and solar siding make it easy to envision a future with highly efficient buildings that harness the sun and power our world.
The best option for most homeowners today is rooftop solar panels. You can learn more about going solar with our solar savings calculator and see what you could save with a more energy-efficient home with our energy advisor tool.
See what solar can do for you:
Frequently Asked Questions
Are solar shingles a good option for my home?
Solar shingles are an interesting and growing option for homeowners who want the aesthetics of shingles without panels, or need to replace their roof anyway and want solar power. Challenges with solar shingles can include cost, availability, and efficiency compared to home solar panels.
Are solar panels or solar shingles better?
In most cases, for more homeowners, solar panels are better than shingles in cost, cost efficiency, energy production, availability, and dependability.
What are building integrated photovoltaics?
BIPVs, or dual-use PV technology, are any building materials or structures that also generate solar electricity.
Are solar shingles worth it?
Solar shingles can be worth it in instances where you’re in need of replacing a roof anyway and want the dual-purpose technology. Other potential benefits include incentives, aesthetics, and use where solar panels aren’t allowed. In most residential cases, solar panels are more cost-effective and efficient than solar shingles.
What’s the difference between BIPV and BAPV?
Building applied photovoltaics are products put or installed onto a building’s exterior, such as solar panels. BIPV products or materials are integrated into the building material itself.
Andrew GiermakWriter and EditorAndrew joined Palmetto in Charlotte in August 2024. He’s been a writer in journalism, then in business, going back to almost the 20th century. He’s lived in Indiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia again, and now North Carolina for the last 12 years. He likes golf. Is he good at it? Not so much.
