Building Integrated Photovoltaics

by Samantha Ashley Wallace

Professor DeAnna Leitzke AE 1231: Building Construction Materials Milwaukee School of Engineering

17 May 2011

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Table of Contents:

Abstract: ............................................................................................................................. iii Overview ............................................................................................................................. 1 Material Uses ...................................................................................................................... 2 Cost Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 5 Environmental Impact ......................................................................................................... 8 Conclusions and Reccomendations .................................................................................... 9 Bibliography: .................................................................................................................... 10 Appendix:........................................................................................................................ 122

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Abstract:
This paper topic encompasses the use of photovoltaics (PV) in construction. Photovoltaic cells are being integrated in various building materials including roofs, windows, and walls, to cover the energy costs of the building. There is also a new process to be explored which incorporates PVs into asphalt. The most interesting findings were the different types of PV cells (crystalline silicon and thin film) and the aesthetic as well as practical uses for them.

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Photovoltaics (PVs) have been used in construction for many years. However, new technologies are constantly surfacing in the world of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). PVs are being incorporated into not only roofs, but also windows and facades. The most advanced and current use for PVs that is being developed is integrating PVs into asphalt in order to harness solar power from roads, bridges, and sidewalks. These technologies are abounding and are on the way to being the worlds best choice for energy accumulation.

Overview
Photovoltaics are a relatively simple concept to grasp. The word is derived from photo meaning light and voltaic meaning the creation of electricity. Each PV cell has at least two layers of semiconductors. One is positive, and one is negative so when light shines on the PV, electricity flows in the space between the layers. If the light shining on the Photovoltaic tile is brighter and shines longer, more energy is created. The most common usage of BIPV is on roofing using tiles to replace normal roofing tiles.1 Most photovoltaic cells are made of silicon materials. Recently, however, other materials such as thin-film PV cells have proven to outshine silicon in cost and performance and are becoming a more viable resource for PV manufacturing.2

Solarcentury, "Introduction to Solar Photovoltaics," 11 December 2007, YouTube, p. 1, [Internet, WWW], Available: YouTube website; ADDRESS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mCTSV2f36A, [Accessed: 22 April 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu.
Olivia Mah, 21 December 1998, "Fundamentals of Photovoltaic Materials," San Francisco State University, p. 6, [Internet, WWW], Available: San Francisco State University website; ADDRESS:
2

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Material Uses
In addition to roofing, the world of BIPV is expanding into structural and aesthetic elements. Photovoltaics are now being used in windows, skylights, facades, and exteriors. This is being made possible by new, more flexible panels being developed that also come in many colors and textures. These new PVs can also be manufactured to be opaque or transparent, widening still the variety of uses.3 The photo below gives examples and illustrations of the different uses of PV panels.

http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~ciotola/solar/pv.pdf, [Accessed: 10 April 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu.

Mario Pagliaro,29 December 2008, BIPV: merging the photovoltaic with the construction industry, Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, p. 2, [Internet, WWW], Available: Wiley InterScience website; ADDRESS: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pip.920/pdf, [Accessed: 1 May 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu.

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Source: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pip.920/pdf With these different uses come different types of PV cells. Crystalline silicon comes in a mono- and a multi- variety with a cell efficiency of 16-22% and 14-16%, respectively. The mono- crystalline silicon has a module efficiency of 13-19%, and the area needed per kilowatt is around seven square meters. The multi crystalline silicon has 12-15% efficiency and needs about 8 square meters for each kilowatt of power. Thin film PV

Wallace 4 modules have less efficiency and need more area per KW (see Appendix), however, they can be fitted to more specific needs and use less material when being made.4

Source: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pip.920/pdf Here is an example of PowerFlex, a new thin film material that is virtually unbreakable and very workable. It can be built into any type of building directly. Asphalt is a great heat absorber, and there is an abundance of it in the United States. These are just two reasons why using asphalt to harness the suns energy is perhaps the best new technology in photovoltaics in years. Researchers at the University of Rhode Island (URI) have been identifying and testing three viable techniques for integrating PVs into roadways. The first of these is wrapping the thin film PVs along medians, rumble strips, shoulder lanes, and walls on highways so that the heat from the roadways is harvested when it rises. This energy could be used to power streetlights and the bulbs that light up road signs. Another feasible option would be to heat water-filled pipes installed
4

Pagliaro, p. 4.

Wallace 5 under roadways with solar power to keep roads from getting icy. Because asphalt is so efficient at retaining heat, the water would stay warm even as the sun sets. The third possibility is to create new roads made out of advanced PV and light-emitting diode (LED) materials so that the suns energy is directly absorbed from the road, eliminating all need for asphalt. This is not an extremely viable option yet, however, as such technology hasnt been perfected.5 These advancements in the usage of solar power are on their way to becoming the worlds leading source for energy.

Cost Analysis
It is no secret that the cost of photovoltaic systems is high. Higher than most private homeowners want to pay to add some efficiency to their home, in fact. However, in new construction, PVs are a very viable option for energy efficiency. The state of Texas highly encourages the usage of BIPV on private and commercial sites and provides the following worksheet to determine the cost of a PV system6.

Rebecca Kutzer-Rice, 18 November 2010, The End of Asphalt? Harvesting Solar Energy from Pavement, Smarter Technology, [Internet, WWW], ADDRESS: http://www.smartertechnology.com/c/a/Global-Challenges/The-End-of-Asphalt-HarvestingSolar-Energy-from-Pavement/, [Accessed: 8 April 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu. 6 Estimating PV System Size and Cost, Texas State Energy Conservation Office, p. 3, [Internet, WWW], Available: Wiley InterScience website; ADDRESS: http://www.infinitepower.org/pdf/FactSheet-24.pdf, [Accessed: 3 May 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu.

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Source: http://www.infinitepower.org/pdf/FactSheet-24.pdf

In addition to putting cost into a simple sheet like this and quantifying it in an easily understandable way, Science Daily states that the cost of PV systems is declining 3.5% per year while other energy costs are increasing. 7 The cost of integrating PVs into asphalt would be the same as any other thin film PV usage. Thin films are generally half

DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 3 March 2009, Cost Of Installed Solar Photovoltaic Systems Drops Significantly Over The Last Decade, Science Daily, [Internet, WWW], ADDRESS: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090219152130.htm, [Accessed: 8 April

2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu.

Wallace 7 the cost of traditional photovoltaic panels due to lower manufacturing cost.8 This makes the first option of adding flexible solar panels to roadways very financially attainable. Using just photovoltaic cells to create roads is extremely expensive, however, and one driveway made with this technology cost over $100,000.9 Also, while the cost of PV systems is going down, many states are offering incentives to get both commercial and private owners to integrate solar power into their buildings. These motivational factors include and up to 50% coverage in upfront costs in some areas.10 The following charge breaks down these incentives as well as the initial cost of a minimum 300 square foot roof area, utility savings, and property value increases.

17 March 2010, Thin Film Solar Panels vs. Traditional Silicon Photovoltaic Solar Panels,

Residential Solar 101, [Internet, WWW], ADDRESS:

http://www.residentialsolar101.org/thin_film_solar_panels, [Accessed: 15 April 2011]. A copy of this

website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu.
9

Kutzer-Rice 10 Clean Energy Group, 2010, Solar Economics, States Advancing Solar, [Internet, WWW], ADDRESS: http://www.statesadvancingsolar.org/solar-101/solar-economics, [Accessed: 15 April 2011].

A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu.

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Source: http://www.statesadvancingsolar.org/solar-101/solar-economics

Environmental Impact
Photovoltaic cells are manufactured using various chemicals, some of which are very harmful. If PV cells are simply thrown away when broken, these chemicals, such as tetrachloride, could end up in water sources and soil. The American solar power industry has taken measures to prevent this by creating a recycling program for PV cells. Old cells can be used to make new cells and the chemicals are reused, keeping them out of places that could do harm to the environment or living things. Not only is this good for the environment, but it also keeps the image of photovoltaics very green which encourages

Wallace 9 consumers to take part in solar power. In addition to recycling used panels, the new asphalt technologies are also environmentally friendly, which is especially prevalent to the installation of water pipes under the surface of roads. Salt would be eliminated as a way to de-ice these roads which would cut down on harm to wildlife and water sources.11

Conclusion and Recommendations

Building integrated photovoltaics is the future of energy efficiency. While the cost of almost every other energy source is increasing, solar power is becoming more affordable every day. In addition to the advantage in cost, photovoltaic cells harness energy silently and cleanly as there are no moving parts and no emissions. Installation of solar panels is very simple and any south facing roof can be utilized to harness enough energy to power an efficient home. Spare electricity that is produced by the panel can be sold back to an electric company adding another source of revenue to a home.12 Besides the direct impact that BIPVs have, there are also many positive indirect effects such as job creation (0ver 6,000 jobs created in 2007) and boosting the economy (Photovoltaics have become an over two billion dollar industry).13 My recommendation is that every building and home be equipped with photovoltaic panels in order to increase efficiency and decrease environmental impact. Also, all new construction should certainly include photovoltaic cells in some way as harnessing the power of the sun has now become both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound.

4 October 2008, Recycling Photovoltaic Solar Cells, Solar Rain Barrel, [Internet, WWW], ADDRESS: http://solar.rain-barrel.net/recycling-photovoltaic-solar-cells/, [Accessed: 28 April 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu.
12 13

11

Solarcentury, p.1. Clean Energy Group, p. 1.

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Bibliography:
4 October 2008. Recycling Photovoltaic Solar Cells. Solar Rain Barrel. [Internet. WWW]. ADDRESS: http://solar.rain-barrel.net/recycling-photovoltaic-solarcells/. [Accessed: 28 April 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu. 17 March 2010. Thin Film Solar Panels vs. Traditional Silicon Photovoltaic Solar Panels. Residential Solar 101. [Internet. WWW]. ADDRESS: http://www.residentialsolar101.org/thin_film_solar_panels. [Accessed: 15 April 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu. Clean Energy Group. 2010. Solar Economics. States Advancing Solar. [Internet. WWW]. ADDRESS: http://www.statesadvancingsolar.org/solar-101/solareconomics. [Accessed: 15 April 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu. DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. 3 March 2009. Cost Of Installed Solar Photovoltaic Systems Drops Significantly Over The Last Decade. Science Daily. [Internet. WWW]. ADDRESS: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090219152130.htm. [Accessed: 8 April 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu. Estimating PV System Size and Cost. Texas State Energy Conservation Office. p. 3. [Internet. WWW]. Available: Wiley InterScience website; ADDRESS: http://www.infinitepower.org/pdf/FactSheet-24.pdf. [Accessed: 3 May 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu. Kutzer-Rice, Rebecca. 18 November 2010. The End of Asphalt? Harvesting Solar Energy from Pavement. Smarter Technology. [Internet. WWW]. ADDRESS: http://www.smartertechnology.com/c/a/Global-Challenges/The-End-of-AsphaltHarvesting-Solar-Energy-from-Pavement/. [Accessed: 8 April 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu. Mah, Olivia. 21 December 1998. "Fundamentals of Photovoltaic Materials." San Francisco State University. p. 6. [Internet. WWW]. Available: San Francisco State University website; ADDRESS: http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~ciotola/solar/pv.pdf. [Accessed: 10 April 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu.

Wallace 11 Pagliaro, Mario.29 December 2008. BIPV: merging the photovoltaic with the construction industry. Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati. p. 2. [Internet. WWW]. Available: Wiley InterScience website; ADDRESS: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pip.920/pdf. [Accessed: 1 May 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu. Solarcentury. "Introduction to Solar Photovoltaics." 11 December 2007. YouTube. p. 1. [Internet. WWW]. Available: YouTube website; ADDRESS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mCTSV2f36A. [Accessed: 22 April 2011]. A copy of this website is in the students possession and may be consulted by contacting the student at wallaces@msoe.edu.

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Appendix:

Source: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pip.920/pdf