Building-Integrated Photovoltaics: Creating Solar Assets from Buildings

Understanding BIPV

• BIPV integrates solar elements directly into architectural elements, turning buildings into power generators.

• It replaces conventional construction materials with solar alternatives, delivering long-term savings.

• BIPVs can be incorporated into façades, roofs, windows, and railings, and can be used in residential apartments, commercial buildings, and public infrastructure.

BIPVs for India

• BIPVs are needed due to space constraints and sustainable urban development.

• High-rise buildings in India’s cities often lack rooftop space for RTS systems.

• BIPVs can be integrated into independent houses and balconies of homes without rooftop access, saving up to 30% on electricity bills.

Status of BIPVs in India

• BIPVs are gaining momentum due to the decline in solar technology prices and growing interest in sustainable architecture.

• India has impressive BIPV installations, including the CtrlS Datacenters building in Navi Mumbai, the Renewable Energy Museum in Kolkata, and the Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. facility in Angul, Odisha.

Scaling Up BIPV Uptake

• High initial costs, policy gaps, inadequate technical capacity, and reliance on imports limit BIPV adoption in India.

• Seoul’s incentive scheme subsidises up to 80% of installation costs, allowing BIPV into mainstream urban construction.

• India could expand existing solar schemes to offer higher incentives for BIPV, especially in space-constrained urban areas.

• India can consider embedding BIPV provisions in its National Building Code, the Energy Conservation Building Code, and the Eco Niwas Samhita.

• Demonstrating BIPV through pilot projects in public infrastructure can improve visibility and catalyze wider acceptance.

• Financial arrangements like the Renewable Energy Service Company model and long-term power purchase agreements can enhance project reliability and enable large-scale BIPV deployment.

• India needs to prioritize land-neutral solutions like BIPV to meet its goal of installing 300 GW of solar capacity by 2030.