Increased environmental awareness and subsequent growing demand for clean sources of energy has led to the success of photovoltaic technology in recent years. The manufacture of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays is flourishing exponentially, as projects of all scales from all over the world are integrating innovative application of the same. Coming at such a crucial time, ‘Building Integrated Photovoltaics – A Handbook’ is a boon for practicing architects, designers as well as inquisitive students.

Addressing PV-technology as one more building cladding option, this handbook cognises the reader with the scope of photovoltaics in design from an architect’s point of view. In building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems, photovoltaic modules become an integral part of the building envelope, such as the roof, a skylight or the façade. BIPV represents the combination of proven renewable power technology and the building exterior using traditional building practices.

This handbook is a work of specialists; Simon Roberts is a senior scientist and Nicolò Guariento, an assistant engineer, both associated with Arup, the renowned structural designer. Simon is a physics-trained scientist, concerned with sustainable development, with a specific interest in energy issues, ranging from individual photovoltaic systems to global oil consumption. Nicolò has been actively analysing solar performance of curtain walls and double-skin façades along with the application of 2D and 3D software for the assessment of thermal performance.

The book is well structured; a successive progression from PV basics, to PV for designers, to the details of design of building envelopes, makes for lucid understanding of the subject. Each category is further subdivided into various common parameters like introduction, principles of construction, maintenance and replacement and case studies. This prompts comparative study of using photovoltaics in different components and cases. The last section is exactly that – a comparative analysis of the output performance of each of the case studies featured

Photovoltaics have high appeal, generating electricity from sunlight, silently, with no maintenance, no pollution and no depletion of materials. The theory from planning to execution of BIPV systems is explained in the handbook, citing 14 well-studied cases to illustrate a range of BIPV approaches. Most examples cited are of new buildings, but the guidance is equally relevant for renovation of existing structures. Also provided for reference, is a set of real data on working systems from around the world with full installation details.

Extensive case studies prove the point of each subject and the handbook goes beyond being just another reference material. For example, while explaining the essence of BIPV in atria and canopies, the authors cite four examples from Nottingham, California, London and Beijing. These examples range from a business school to a museum to a bus station to a multi-storey car park. Contextual photographs and representational drawings explain the overview and details of the installations in each case. Diversity of the type and scale of projects makes sure that the reader is well intimated to the scope of BIPV.

Building Integrated Photovoltaics – A Handbook is expected to capture the imagination of every eco-sensitive mind and become a must-have in every library.

Title: Building Integrated Photovoltaics

Author: Simon Roberts, Nicolò Guariento    

Language: English

Publisher: Birkhäuser Verlag AG (Basel, Boston, Berlin)                 

Hardbound: 26.8 x 20.8 x 2cm

ISBN-10: 3764399481

ISBN-13: 978-3-7643-9948-1

Pages: 178