The importance of hybrid PV-building integration

An extensive utilization of photovoltaics for future electricity generation and for hybrid generation of electricity and thermal energy is possible, when PV-panels are designed to become a part of the building envelope itself. Large areas are available, since roofs and facades are perfectly suited for solar energy conversion. TALENTS ENERGY LTD has developed special PV-generators which fulfill at the same time the functions and requirements of conventional building elements. In the context of different R&D projects funded by the Swiss government to implement a series of typical building integrated photovoltaic systems, ATLANTIS ENERGY LTD was entrusted to design and build various hybrid building integrated PV-power plants. The following PV-building integrated systems are briefly discussed: the factory building 'Aerni' consisting of a 9 kW/sub el/ vertical PV-facade and of a hybrid 53 kW/sub el/ PV-system integrated into the skylights; the multifunctional PV-facade 'Scheidegger' with an installed peak power of 18 kW/sub el/; the hybrid PV-shingle roof 'Brig' with an installed peak power of 15 kW/sub el/ and 30 kW/sub th/; and the 8.4 kW/sub el/, 12 kW/sub th/ hybrid PV-shingle roof 'Rigi'.