Comprehensive Review of Building Integrated Photovoltaic and Thermal Systems (BIPV/T)

Abstract

The increasing worldwide energy requirements, combined with sustainable urban growth, drive the need for inventive building technologies. Building integrated photovoltaic and thermal systems (BIPV/T) generate both electricity and thermal energy while enabling nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEBs) to achieve their energy goals. Our analysis examines the technological, economic, and environmental aspects of BIPV/T systems and their application within building elements such as roofs, facades, and glazing areas. The review also examines supportive policy frameworks for BIPV/T implementation while pinpointing adoption barriers like steep initial investments and incomplete regional policies. The present review is based on a systematic literature review from January 2010 to March 2025 from the Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore databases. A search string consisting of the combination of the keywords building integrated photovoltaic and thermal systems (BIPV/T), nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEBs), solar technologies, Aesthetic and Architectural Integration, Energy Efficiency, and Building codes. A total of 75 articles were selected after screening and eligibility assessment. This study seeks to provide guidance for researchers, architects, and policymakers to progress BIPV/T integration towards sustainable urban development.