A significant component of the industry's increasing attention towards green building is the growing demand for Building Integrated Photovoltaics, which integrates the process for energy generation technology into building design and materials, www.RenewableEnergyStocks.com (RES) reported. In the use of BIPV technologies, the solar power elements actually become an integral part of the building, often serving as the exterior weathering skin, achieving two purposes — producing electricity and replacing construction materials.
Helping to drive the renewable energy market is the rising demand for electrical power. In the U.S., this demand is anticipated to grow substantially from less than 0.4 GW in 2003 to 200 GW by 2030.The growth in installed solar systems would equate to the same amount of new solar electrical production by 2030 as 40 new large nuclear facilities.
Solar Photovoltaics (PV) has recently received added support from the Bush administration as part of the Government's Homeland Security initiatives towards energy independence and alternative resources. A budget proposal sent to Congress by President Bush included what the solar industry is calling "a promising new initiative" to advance the development of crystalline silicon solar power. The Crystalline Silicon Initiative seeks to re-establish U.S. market leadership and technology ownership in the PV industry. Many industry leaders believe the initiative will start solar power on a path to deliver half of all new U.S. electrical generation by 2025.
Growing interest in solar integrated products has also experienced a tremendous boost from the housing boom, which has accelerated installations of PV in residential and commercial buildings. California is at the forefront of this increased demand for real estate and solar products.
It is anticipated that this trend toward the incorporation of energy efficient technology in the walls, roofs and windows of commercial and industrial buildings will continue to grow and develop as the forces of increased demand for resources, Homeland Security and the ongoing housing boom continue to push the envelope. Building Integrated Photovoltaics finds itself immersed in this movement as it offers a viable alternative to overcoming existing energy shortages, rising construction and building maintenance costs and environmental risk.
