BUILDING INTEGRATION OF PV ON FACADES

A significant proportion of the buildings external envelope consists of the facades; therefore this area can also be utilised to produce electricity at the point of consumption through the integration of PV. The majority of PV technologies are currently suitable for façade integration, although overshadowing is a key concern and may limit their utilisation. The PV array should not be located at ground level to minimise overshadowing and to minimise damage to the system. Optimisation of the PV arrays performance on a façade requires complex detailing as a vertical façade does not generally provide optimum orientation towards the sun. This may be overcome by the incorporation of sloping walls, stepped walls or walls with a 'saw-tooth' profile in either plan or section. The PV array can also be attached externally as an awning system or a light shelf system, which could be extended into an independent canopy at ground floor level. This will moderate solar glare and provide the interior of the building with diffuse, indirect light.

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