Photovoltaic panels on the roof of a small high-rise building

Is a solar roof better than a conventional solar panel?

A solar roof has many potential advantages, but the technology is less mature than conventional solar panels. Mainly, the cells of solar roof products aren't as efficient as traditional monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels, and glaringly, the cost of a solar roof is typically much higher than a rooftop solar panel installation.

What is building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV)?

But solar technologies include much more than just rooftop panels, and building-integrated photovoltaics, also known as BIPV, takes the panel off the roof and, for example, puts it inside the roof itself.

What is building-integrated photovoltaics?

Building-integrated photovoltaics is a set of emerging solar energy applications that replace conventional building materials with solar energy generating materials in the structure, like the roof, skylights, balustrades, awnings, facades, or windows.

What is a BIPV solar panel & how does it work?

While traditional solar panels usually don't provide any actual structural function to the buildings they're installed on, BIPV does. At its core, BIPV is a category of dual-purpose solar products. Building-integrated photovoltaics generate solar electricity and work as a structural part of a building.

Is BIPV better than traditional solar panels?

Some people think BIPV is more aesthetically pleasing than traditional solar panels, but it tends to cost more and be less efficient. Solar shoppers should use the EnergySage Marketplace to receive and compare quotes for solar systems. What is BIPV?

Can a BIPV solar roof be used in a residential building?

Today, most BIPV products are designed for large commercial buildings, like an apartment complex or community center. However, there will always be exceptions, and the widely-known Tesla Solar Roof is a prime example of BIPV's rising popularity within residential home construction.