BIPV: What is Building Integrated Photovoltaics?

What is BiPV?

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BiPV) products are photovoltaic solar energy producing materials that are used to replace conventional building materials in parts of the building envelope such as the roof, skylights, or facades. BiPV is increasingly being used in the construction of new buildings and refurbishment of older buildings as a principal or ancillary source of electrical power.

The advantage of integrated photovoltaics over more common non-integrated systems is that the initial cost can be offset by reducing the amount spent on building materials and labor that would normally be used to construct the part of the building that the BIPV modules replace. Hume is the trusted distributor in Australia of the world's leading manufacturer of transparent photovoltaic (PV) glass for buildings. 

BiPV Solar Glass:

BiPV solar glass is increasingly catching the attention of Australian architects and commercial solar energy providers. BiPV solar glass panels can be installed wherever conventional glass or facade and roofing materials can be used. Transparent amorphous silicon building integrated photovoltaic panels can produce while providing shade and shelter.

Amorphous silicon photovoltaic glass (PV glass) features a combination of functionality, efficiency and aesthetics. Its properties include energy production, natural lighting, IR & UV filtering, acoustic and thermal insulation, and CO2 emission reduction.

The material can be the perfect substitute for conventional architectural glass and is in compliance with international safety standards. Its physical properties such as shape, colour, size, thickness and grade of transparency can be all customised to meet the requirements of a wide range of projects.

Hume Building Products is the sole distributor in NSW and trusted distributor across Australia of Spain's Onyx Solar. Onyx is the world's leading manufacturer of transparent photovoltaic (PV) glass for buildings and has been used on over 200 projects globally. It is currently being installed on the canopy on the Transport for NSW's Como Station Upgrade. Alex Carbone, the Project and Design Manager at Degnan Constructions has been impressed by the product and service and recently told LinkedIn: "A big thanks to Hume Building Products for helping make this initiative for Transport for NSW come into reality. Your technical support and responsiveness have not gone unnoticed. We are looking forward now to the install and the finished product reveal."

A paramount advantage of BIPV compared to conventional PV is in its dual purpose. BiPV serves innovatively as an outer layer to a building, whilst also generating electricity, whereas PV solar panels have to be mounted on top of an existing substrate. Being seamlessly integrated within the structure offers durability and lower overall costs, making it aesthetically pleasing with a cleaner modern look.

Smart Commercial Solar, one of Australia’s leading commercial solar energy providers, recntly turned to Hume Building Products to source BiPV glass for the historic refurbishment of Chapter House at Australia's oldest cathedral, St Andrew's, in Sydney:  “The challenge for solar systems in general has always been that it’s very hard to integrate solar panels into a building and make it look great”, Huon Hoogesteger, Managing Director of Smart Commercial Solar.

“That’s where PV glass really comes into its own. It’s a fully customisable solar panel which can be treated just like a piece of glass. We can not only generate electricity but we can let light into the building. Hume was able to supply us with just the product that we needed to complete our project. Hume’s technical support right here in Australia has allowed us to design and manufacture a product suitable for this particular building. We were able to deliver deliver quite a remarkable and unique semi-transparent light roof, using quite a large piece of glass - 3 x 2 metres and 18mm thick - which means it can be cleaned and serviced long term.”

Contact the BiPV experts:

The dedicated ‘Hume Architectural’ team at Hume Buildinng Products specialises in architectural facade products and solutions and is supported by 200 staff in eight Hume branches across Sydney and Melbourne. Our focus is on fostering strong relationships and providing the best customer experience and end-to-end solutions, parterning with the world’s leading manufacturer of PV glass for buildings.

To date, we have consulted on well over 30 BiPV projects - from small domestic projects through to large commercial and government works. At Hume, we understand that these projects take a lot of time and energy, so we will work closely with all project stakeholders every step of the way to ensure the best outcome for all involved. 

For more information on our BiPV range, contact the Hume Architectural team for more information by calling 02 9681 9096.

Recent Australian BiPV projects:

• The canopy on the NSW Government's Como Station Upgrade, Sydney.
• The canopy of the Chapter House Canopy, St Andrew's Cathedral refurbishment, Sydney.
• The award winning The General building at Northcote in Melbourne.
• The scenic photovoltaic pergola at The Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability at Balls Head on Sydney Harbour.