Colouring solutions for building integrated photovoltaic modules: A review
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Author
Borja Block, Alejandro
Escarre Palou, Jordi
Courtant, Marie
Virtuani, Alessandro
Cattaneo, Gianluca
Roten, Maxime
Li, Heng-Yu
Despeisse, Matthieu
Hessler-Wyser, Aïcha
Desai, Umang
Abstract
As global decarbonisation requires the widespread adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity, addressing challenges related to land use has become relevant. The conflict between PV installations and other land uses, such as forestry or agriculture, highlights the urgency for alternative solutions. Integrating PV technology into the built environment is a compelling strategy to mitigate these challenges, enabling electricity generation precisely where it is needed. In the context of buildings integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), PV modules serve a dual purpose, functioning both as electricity generators and integral components of the architectural design. Therefore, the architecture requirements — specifically in terms of shape, size, and colour— become relevant for BIPV modules. This paper offers a general overview of the diverse colouring technologies employed for BIPV modules, describing their functioning, challenges, and advantages. An examination of the current landscape of coloured PV products involving considerations of pricing and power output is presented. Additionally, this work addresses the critical topics of reliability and stability in colour solutions, outlining methodologies for quantitative colour characterization. It provides foresight into the potential challenges facing installations in the future and explores the multifaceted social, economic, and environmental implications of this evolving technology. © 2024 The Author(s)
Publication Reference
Energy and Buildings Volume 314 Article number 114253
Year
2024-07-01