Photovoltaics is the direct conversion of sunlight to electricity. It is an attractive alternative to conventional sources of electricity for many reasons: it is silent, non-polluting, and renewable; it requires no special training to operate; it is modular and versatile; with no moving parts, it is extremely reliable and virtually maintenance free; and, it can be installed almost anywhere.



BIOCLIMATIC ARCHITECTURE

Bioclimatic architecture is the complex of design solutions that assure the maintenance of conditions of environmental comfort inside buildings by satisfaction of requirement of control of the inner microclimate of the buildings, of the natural lighting system of the same ones, limiting lessened the participation of the systems that involve energetic consumptions from conventional sources .



PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM

Photovoltaic systems require other components in addition to the PV modules. This equipment generally includes system wiring, support structures, inverters, batteries, charge regulators, string combiners, lightning protection, overcurrent protection, disconnect switches, and ground-fault protection. A brief introduction to these components follows.







BUILDING-INTEGRATED PV SYSTEMS

Building-integrated PV (BIPV) systems have the potential to be architecturally attractive, which adds to the commercial acceptance of the technology on the part of design professionals, building owners, and the general public. In addition, BIPV components replace conventional building materials and labor, thus further reducing the installed cost of the PV system.
With reduced installation costs, improved aesthetics, and all the benefits of distributed generation, building-integrated PV systems will become an attractive option for both residential and commercial buildings. At present, product development is proceeding in three general areas: integral roof modules, roofing tiles and shingles, and integral modules for vertical facades and sloped glazing.



PHOTOVOLTAIC APPLICATIONS

New developments and curiosities from the world of the most varied photovoltaic applications: the characteristics of the transports electrical workers, the street furniture, the industrial and commecial applications...





PHOTOVOLTAICS & MARKET

With all of its advantages and promise of continued cost reductions, the potential for PV-powered buildings is very great indeed. In a best-case scenario, you have projected that the annual U.S., Japanese and European market for PV on buildings could top $2.5 billion in the next 10 years.

SOLAR LINKS

Sources for further information