Solar energy for building supply

Abstract

Photovoltaics (PVs) is an established technology, but there are still potential applications that require further development, and undoubtedly appropriate architectonic integration. This chapter is a short guide for architects and engineers, providing an overview of the main types of PVs and of the alternative ways that PV modules can be integrated into buildings by using various technical arrangements to replace existing construction elements by PV modules in roofs, façades, and other parts of the buildings. Presented are the main types of PV cells-depending on the semiconductor material (single-crystal, multicrystalline silicon, amorphous, thin film), on the type of junction (homojunction and heterojunction), on the method of manufacture (thin film, stacked, vertical multifunction), and on the devices of the system that utilize solar radiation. The main types of PV building integration (roof, façade, sun screening) are discussed at the end of the chapter.