BIPV Technologies Poised for High Uptake on the Back of Escalating Environmental Concerns

Feb. 22, 2011 - PRLog -- Frost & Sullivan: BIPV Technologies Poised for High Uptake on the Back of Escalating Environmental Concerns

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – Feb. 22, 2011 – Although building integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) are largely untapped compared to other microgeneration solutions, pressing environmental issues propel the technology to the forefront. With the alarm bells ringing louder over climate change and global warming, there concerns 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) views as an essential activity as well as an investment in goodwill.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.technicalinsights.frost.com), Building Integrated Photovoltaics: Technology Market Penetration and Roadmapping, finds that crystalline silicon technology will play a key role in the next five years provided with a significant increase in conversion efficiency.

If you are interested in more information on this study, please send an e-mail to Britni Myers, Corporate Communications, at britni.myers@frost.com, with your full name, company name, job title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country.

“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 research and development activities in the field of photovoltaics (PVs), biofuels and so on,” said Technical Insights research analyst Kumar Narasimhan. “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 drive some of the green technologies such as BIPVs.

From the perspective of cost, first generation PVs score higher than second generation PVs. The development of thin-film technology brings 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 PVs in a span of seven to 10 years, it could displace crystalline technology. Within this period, third-generation PVs expect to enter the BIPV market in a very small way with slightly improved conversion efficiency.

Current PV module designs are mostly for autonomous PV systems. Therefore, there are no particular set of products created 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 came up with standard BIPV products for roof top materials such as solar roof shingles.

Development of specific BIPV products allows for easier integration and better aesthetics. Certain building components such as shades, roofs and facades standardize to encourage the development of BIPV products. Thin-film developers must collaborate with glass or coatings manufacturers to promote BIPV panels as a standard construction-building product.

Electricity prices saw an upward trend during the past few years. Eventually, grid parity achieves and microgeneration through BIPV ensures competitive prices. This factor induces demand for PV systems and other renewable energy sources going forward.

“Solution providers must focus greater attention on research and development to roll out smarter grids, meters, and software,” said Narasimhan. “Also, spirited research and development collaboration among peers would be a surefire route to wider adoption within the next five to seven years.”

Building Integrated Photovoltaics: Technology Market Penetration and Roadmapping, a part of the Technical Insights subscription, offers insights on the roadmap and penetration prospects of BIPV. The study provides recommendations for stakeholders to enhance their penetration in the market along with an overview of key drivers and challenges, and demand-side analysis. Further, this research service includes detailed technology analysis and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

Technical Insights is an international technology analysis business that produces a variety of technical news alerts, newsletters and research services.

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Building Integrated Photovoltaics: Technology Market Penetration and Roadmapping
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Britni Myers
Corporate Communications – North America
P: 210. 477.8481
E: britni.myers@frost.com

http://www.frost.com
http://www.technicalinsights.frost.com