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Integration of photovoltaic solar energy in buildings

The solar energy is a renewable form of generating electricity from the energy provided by sunlight from solar panels.

The panels, modules or photovoltaic panels are formed by small semiconductor diodes who are excited to receive solar radiation producing electric potential difference between its ends. The serial coupling of many of these diodes can generate electric potential fifferences greater than can be harnessed to power various loads.

The material used in its manufacture is silicon , which is located on a very abundant in the earth. To next figure illustrates the manufacturing process:

This technology can be integrated into the design of buildings for production of electrical energy they consume.

The objective set by the European Union to ensure that all new buildings are self-sustaining from 2020 makes this technology one of the cornerstones to achieve this ambitious goal.

This technology has many advantages, but there are problems to be overcome before getting to be a profitable energy without administrative support. We will analyze both:

Its advantages include:

• is inexhaustible and free depends exclusively on solar radiation.
• produces no noise or emissions of polluting gases.
• Systems safe and reliable that require little maintenance. Allows
• aesthetic integration with building enclosures.

Among the disadvantages: Low

• performance, only 15% incident solar energy is converted into electricity.
• requires a high occupancy surface (generating about 75 Wp/m2 panel).
• Its generation capacity varies depending on the intensity of irradiation.
• Difficulties in storing energy.
• Their profitability depends on the administrative grants.

therefore must be achieved in terms of improving the capacity of power generation and storage techniques of energy to achieve the objective of building self-raised by the EU. According to the Association European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) in 2015 will ensure that this technology will be profitable even without external aid.

photovoltaic manufacturers are working on solutions that allow seamless integration with the walls that form the building envelope. As we will see its use is not limited to having a series of panels on the roof of the building. The alternatives are: Integration

• curtain walls and windows crystals:

• Integration
  blind facade cladding:

• Covers:

The outlook for the coming years will be an important technological advance of this technology and a large increase in its use both in buildings and new construction in existing buildings.