A

David

Darling

building-integrated PV

photovoltaic facade

Photovoltaic facade on Scheidegger Building, near Bern, Switzerland. Image courtesy: Atlantis Solar Systeme AG.


Building-integrated PV (BIPV) is a term for the design and integration of photovoltaics into the building envelope, typically replacing conventional building materials. This integration may be in vertical facades, replacing view glass, spandrel glass, or other facade material; into semitransparent skylight systems; into roofing systems, replacing traditional roofing materials; into shading "eyebrows" over windows; or other building envelope systems.