Photovoltaics and Architecture


Book Description

Photovoltaic systems (PVs) produce electricity directly from solar radiation and are becoming more widespread as their advantages become apparent. This new guide provides an overview of how PVs work and how they are incorporated in the design of buildings, giving designers a good idea of the variety and flexibility of PVs and of their design and aesthetic potential. Seven contemporary case studies illustrate the use and application of photovoltaic systems.




Photovoltaics in Buildings


Book Description

The integration of photovoltaics (PV) into buildings goes beyond energy saving by providing a clean and elegant way of actually generating electricity. There are already numerous successful examples and rapid technological improvements promise expansion of PV's present niche market to that of a major energy provider of the 21st century. This handbook is the outcome of a five year programme which took place under the auspices of the International Energy Agency. Architects and solar experts from 13 countries addressed the wide range of engineering and architectural issues involved in the successful integration of PV into buildings. It demonstrates how to maximise the overall solar contribution to the building; integrate PV effectively with the building structure; clarify the relationship of PV with other elements of the building's energy system; optimise the system economics. It forms a thorough design guide that covers all aspects if the subject and will enable all building designers, engineers and property owners to make the integration of PV into buildings an architecturally appealing and energetically effective option.







Passive Solar Architecture


Book Description

New buildings can be designed to be solar oriented, naturally heated and cooled, naturally lit and ventilated, and made with renewable, sustainable materials—no matter the location or climate. In this comprehensive overview of passive solar design, two of America’s solar pioneers give homeowners, architects, designers, and builders the keys to successfully harnessing the sun and maximizing climate resources for heating, cooling, ventilation, and daylighting. Bainbridge and Haggard draw upon examples from their own experiences, as well as those of others, of more than three decades to offer both overarching principles as well as the details and formulas needed to successfully design a more comfortable, healthy, and secure place in which to live, laugh, dance, and be comfortable. Even if the power goes off. Passive Solar Architecture also discusses “greener” and more-sustainable building materials and how to use them, and explores the historical roots of green design that have made possible buildings that produce more energy and other resources than they use.




Building Integrated Photovoltaics


Book Description

A handbook on how to integrate photovoltaics into building skins.




Building-integrated Solar Technology


Book Description

It's already impossible to imagine energy-efficient construction without photovoltaics and solar thermal. Yet, the EU-wide introduction of low energy standards for new buildings stipulates that buildings must meet their energy needs in whole or in part from the sun by 2021 at the latest. The integration of solar systems into buildings is no longer just a technical matter, but also a structural and aesthetic challenge. This book provides the necessary expertise for this purpose. In addition to basic physics and technological developments in photovoltaics and solar thermal, the publication offers abundant advice from architects on how to successfully integrate solar systems into buildings. A number of chapters address the economical and ecological deployment of solar technology as well as issues of building laws and the preservation of listed buildings. Illustrated and expanded by numerous photos and detailed project documentation, "Building-Integrated Solar Technology" not only demonstrates the tremendous variety of construction tasks and integration possibilities, but also shows that self-sustaining buildings in terms of energy can also become a powerful architectural and cultural asset.




Designing with Solar Power


Book Description

Designing with Solar Power is the result of international collaborative research and development work carried out within the framework of the International Energy Agency's Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) and performed within its Task 7 on 'Photovoltaic power systems in the built environment'. Each chapter of this precisely detailed and informative book has been prepared by an international expert in a specific area related to the development, use and application of building-integrated photovoltaics (BiPV). Chapters not only cover the basics of solar power and electrical concepts, but also investigate the ways in which photovoltaics can be integrated into the design and creation of buildings equipped for the demands of the 21st century. The potential for BiPV, in both buildings and other structures, is explored together with broader issues such as market deployment, and international marketing and government strategies. In addition, more than 20 contemporary international case studies describe in detail how building-integrated photovoltaics have been applied to new and existing buildings, and discuss the architectural and technical quality, and the success of various strategies. Packed with photographs and illustrations, this book is an invaluable companion for architects, builders, designers, engineers, students and all involved with the exciting possibilities of building-integrated photovoltaics.




Photovoltaics in Buildings


Book Description

The integration of photovoltaics (PV) into buildings goes beyond energy saving by providing a clean and elegant way of actually generating electricity. There are already numerous successful examples and rapid technological improvements promise expansion of PV's present niche market to that of a major energy provider of the 21st century. This handbook is the outcome of a five year programme which took place under the auspices of the International Energy Agency. Architects and solar experts from 13 countries addressed the wide range of engineering and architectural issues involved in the successful integration of PV into buildings. It demonstrates how to maximise the overall solar contribution to the building; integrate PV effectively with the building structure; clarify the relationship of PV with other elements of the building's energy system; optimise the system economics. It forms a thorough design guide that covers all aspects if the subject and will enable all building designers, engineers and property owners to make the integration of PV into buildings an architecturally appealing and energetically effective option.




Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering


Book Description

The most comprehensive, authoritative and widely cited reference on photovoltaic solar energy Fully revised and updated, the Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, Second Edition incorporates the substantial technological advances and research developments in photovoltaics since its previous release. All topics relating to the photovoltaic (PV) industry are discussed with contributions by distinguished international experts in the field. Significant new coverage includes: three completely new chapters and six chapters with new authors device structures, processing, and manufacturing options for the three major thin film PV technologies high performance approaches for multijunction, concentrator, and space applications new types of organic polymer and dye-sensitized solar cells economic analysis of various policy options to stimulate PV growth including effect of public and private investment Detailed treatment covers: scientific basis of the photovoltaic effect and solar cell operation the production of solar silicon and of silicon-based solar cells and modules how choice of semiconductor materials and their production influence costs and performance making measurements on solar cells and modules and how to relate results under standardised test conditions to real outdoor performance photovoltaic system installation and operation of components such as inverters and batteries. architectural applications of building-integrated PV Each chapter is structured to be partially accessible to beginners while providing detailed information of the physics and technology for experts. Encompassing a review of past work and the fundamentals in solar electric science, this is a leading reference and invaluable resource for all practitioners, consultants, researchers and students in the PV industry.




Introduction to Photovoltaic System Design


Book Description

Photovoltaic system design is both an art and a science. Good design requires the integration of many different forms of knowledge, including physics, aesthetics, business acumen, engineering, and architecture. It also requires a systems approach that combines and assimilates different technologies and structures. Good design is accomplished when art meets science to achieve higher-performance and more-efficient and effective systems. Introduction to Photovoltaic System Design provides readers with the knowledge they need to design high-performance PV systems. The text takes a systematic approach to designing PV, with emphasis on custom-design approaches for every system. Readers will encounter the latest, real-world information regarding site evaluations, strings and wire sizing, designing to code, PV components, and monitoring and testing. About the Series: The Photovoltaics (PV) industry stands on the brink of a revolution. The appeal of a new and growing industry has brought an influx of new PV professionals to the market, but the availability of educational resources has not kept pace with market demands. This gap has led to serious quality and performance issues that the industry will need to face in the decades ahead. The Art and Science of Photovoltaics series was developed to fill this education gap. Each book in the series goes beyond simple systematic processes by tackling performance challenges using a systems perspective. Readers do not learn PV design and installation steps in a vacuum; instead they gain the knowledge and expertise to understand interrelationships and discover new ways to improve their own systems and positively contribute to the industry.