November 30, 2023
Solar panels are now widely used in public and private buildings, as home or building owners are increasingly interested in saving money on electricity and using green energy through renewable energy in their buildings. This is because solar power is more accessible than other types, and there are many different types of panels on the market, so there are more options. There are many factors, like installation and maintenance costs, in deciding to install solar panels, but the more interested the owner of a residential building is in whether the solar panels will harm the building's aesthetics. Many people hesitate to install them because they think solar panels look ugly. For their concerns, the structure that supports the panels can be easily seen being installed on the roof, even on the ground. Especially when it comes to residential buildings, there is a tendency to pay much attention to aesthetics.
However, it is now a matter of the past that solar panels are ugly. As the solar market continues to grow, the types of panels that complement the existing aesthetics are continuously being developed, and panels with design elements can be easily found in the market. Panels of various designs that are modern and sleek are constantly being released on the market. However, the downside of panels with aesthetics is that they are more expensive and less efficient than general solar panels focused on essential functions. Therefore, the choice depends on which one you prioritize. If you want an efficient product that is faithful to the function of electricity generation rather than aesthetics, you can decide by considering efficiency and price. If aesthetics is a priority, you can choose a design panel even if efficiency is lower than general panels.
There are two main types of solar panels. A building-attached panel (BAPV) and a building-integrated panel (BIPV) function as an architectural material and simultaneously generate electricity. The building-integrated type has the disadvantage of being more expensive and less efficient than the building-attached type. Still, it is integrated with the building and does not impair the aesthetics of the building; rather, the appearance of the building can be improved in terms of aesthetics. On the other hand, the building-attached type can be considered a disadvantage if the panel is visible when viewed from above by attaching it to the roof of the building is an aesthetic disadvantage. However, in the case of high-rise buildings, the panel on the roof is not visible when viewed from the ground so that it can be a rather good option considering the cost. There are many types of thin panels on the market, so in the case of low-rise buildings, thin-attached panels may be a good option to consider.
BIPV is a type that complements the aesthetics of widespread BAPV panels and is a 2-in-1 panel that serves as a material for the building and generates electricity through solar absorption. It is aesthetically excellent because it can be customized according to the design of the building. It can be used for windows, outer walls, and roofs of buildings. In the beginning, it was pointed out that the efficiency of BIPV was very low compared to general panels, so it focused on aesthetics rather than the most crucial function of electricity generation. Still, many BIPVs close to the BAPV's efficiency have been developed recently. In addition, products that can apply more diverse colors in design are being developed. The disadvantage of BIPV is its relatively high price and low efficiency compared to general solar panels.
The number of buildings using BIPV as building materials is increasing worldwide. If BIPV is used when building a new building, the initial investment cost may be high, but it can be a valuable choice in the long run in terms of the increase in the value of the building and the fact that it is a building that uses green energy. I would like to look at some cases that attract attention as characteristic buildings by using BIPV.
Blue solar panels cover almost the entire building. Thousands of solar panels are installed obliquely in opposite directions. It has the effect of reflecting light in various directions. In addition, the entire building looks like a blue pixel pattern.
La Seine Musical, a music complex center, consists of egg-shaped buildings and sail-shaped solar panel walls. It is designed to move in the sun's orbit by installing a solar panel wall shaped like a sail on the rail. Therefore, the efficiency of solar absorption is increased, and the lobby of the building behind the panel wall is always shadowed.
The building's upper exterior and pentagon-shaped roof are covered with solar panels. Given the sunless climate in Northern Europe, the roofs were designed at steep angles to allow maximum absorption of sunlight.
Google's Bayview campus consists of three buildings in total. The two main buildings are covered with tent-shaped solar panel roofs curved inward. clerestory windows connect the roof of a tent-shaped solar panel and the indoor ceiling. It is designed to allow natural light to enter the room through the windows, a medium of connection between indoors and outdoors.
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