NanoMarkets has released a new report focusing on the BIPV market, “BIPV Roofing Markets.” The report states that by 2016, the total market value for BIPV roofing products will reach US$3.9 billion. NanoMarkets went on to advise that it expects the market for today’s overlay products, such as building-attached PV) to see a steady growth pattern, but fully integrated BIPV roofing panels will hold the market longevity and opportunity.
Global Solar Energy has announced the installation of three building-integrated PV projects across Italy. The company collaborated with Mapei Alubel and B.A. Energy to construct the rooftop projects using thin-film modules.
Konarka Technologies and Dri-Design have announced the results of their collaboration to integrate Konarka's solar panels into Dri-Design's metal rainscreen panels. It is the first application of its kind and the panels are used for façade installations. The panels will be utilized for BIPV installations and offer architects a range of possibilities of integrations into materials like glass, steel, fabrics or plastic.
SunPower has now completed the acquisition of BIPV specialist Tenesol from Total, paying out US$165.4 million in cash. Ownership of Total in SunPower will increase to 66% as part of the transaction as Total purchases 18.6 million shares of SunPower common stock in a private placement at US$8.80 per share.
Following its win at the 2011 Solar Decathlon event, the University of Maryland has found a buyer for its winning entry, WaterShed. Pepco, the electric service provider, has purchased the solar-powered house and will transport the building to one of its facilities in Montgomery County, Maryland where it will act as a ‘living classroom’ to illustrate the clean energy possibilities.
Dow Solar is taking its Powerhouse Solar Shingles to the US, as it has announced that it has named three authorized sellers of its BIPV roofing solution in Colorado. Academy Roofing, B&M Roofing and D&D Roofing will be supplying the solar technology to the homeowners of Colorado, while Dow Solar has plans to roll out the product across the country.
Soltecture has revamped its solar energy services, going so far as to launch a new brand deign, in order to improve client accessibility. "The focus of our new brand design is our client: they will get a focused overview of our services and portfolio," explains Soltecture’s CSO Henrik Kruepper. "Through the integration of our system solutions with our range of services, and by renaming our products in less technical terms, we are delighted to give our brand a more focused and clear identity.”
Masdar and Fraunhofer Gesellschaft advised that they will be collaborating to construct a façade test centre (FTC) in Masdar City. Fraunhofer’s Institute for Building Physics IBP and Fraunhofer ISE will supply planning and supervision services for the test centre. The FTC aims to support designers and contractors in selecting the buildings materials that will help reduce energy waste in the UAE and the MENA region.
Scheuten Solar has supplied 600 of its custom-made building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules for a 220kW installation at the Carrara Stadium on Australia’s Gold Coast.
A fruit and vegetable distribution centre in the south of France is now the site of the world’s largest building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) system, after 97,000 Solaire France Sunstyle PV roofing tiles were installed on the Saint Charles International in Perpignan.
