Title : INTEGRABILITY OF BIPV FOR VARIOUS DWELLING TYPOLOGIES: A CASE STUDY OF URBAN MIDDLE INCOME RESIDENCES
Authors : Gayathri Aaditya and Monto Mani
Publication : February 13-16, 2013
Volume :
Pages : 11-Jan
Price : 250
Abstract : In India, urban domestic electricity demand is growing rapidly primarily attributed to development induced lifestyle changes. Solar energy, particularly in tropical regions such as India is abundantly, and if harnessed through Clean Development Mechanisms (CDMs) such as renewables, can support electricity access to everyone. One avenue in converting solar energy to electricity is through Photovoltaic (PV), which can generate electricity right where it is required (onsite), and can be integrated with buildings. PVs integrated as the building envelope (as a roof, wall, facades, fenestration, etc.) are termed Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). BIPV offers several advantages over conventional distributed electricity, primarily because it harnesses energy in a decentralized way and minimizes transmission losses. However, BIPV integrating for both optimum PV optimum performance and building climatic-response is a challenge. Electricity consumption in dwellings can be attributed to lighting, air conditioning, cooking, water heating, refrigerator and other appliances. Energy for providing thermal comfort (heating/cooling) depends on the building typology (covered area, type of dwelling, orientation and geometry, construction type, etc.) which in turn can be attributed to population densities, income levels and resource availability. Although BIPV can potentially cater to significant domestic electricity demands, the challenge to its appropriate integrability is complex, and involves factors that are technical, social and economic. Techno-economic factors include PV conversion efficiency, building climatic-response and thermal comfort, while socio-technical factors include cost of electricity generation, social acceptance and affordability. This current paper attempts to provide an integrability framework accommodating salient factors governing appropriate BIPV for residences. The framework has been applied for an urban middle-income residences’ in Bangalore. Preliminary results have been discussed in the paper.