Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) are PV modules that can be used to replace conventional building materials in parts of the building envelope, including the façade, roof or window. Important improvements in performance and cost could encourage widespread uptake.
While their potential to make a major contribution to the world's energy challenge is great, BIPVs have been plagued by low efficiency, high cost and ineffective heat removal. The EU-funded training project BIPV-PCM-COGEN (A novel BIPV-PCM heat and power cogeneration system for buildings) developed technology based on a phase-change material (PCM) slurry that overcomes these barriers to widespread uptake.
Further details: Novel heat and power production in building-integrated photovoltaic panels