Indian BIPV Sector Analysis

Indian BIPV Report 2022:
Status and Roadmap is an essential document for understanding the current state of the BIPV sector in India and formulating a roadmap for its future development. This report provides an overview of the BIPV sector in India, including its current status, key challenges, and future opportunities.

India has emerged as a key destination for solar investments, due to the country's vast solar potential and attractive investment climate. With strong economic growth and an expanding urban population, India offers a  favorable environment for solar development. Solar energy is an important part of India's energy mix, and the country has set ambitious targets for solar development. With strong economic growth and an expanding urban population, India offers a favorable environment for solar development. In order to lay down the roadmap, first let’s understand what BIPV is and how it works.

Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV)
A promising way to integrate renewable energies into the built environment is through Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). This incorporates solar PV panels into the roof, windows, facades, and shading devices of a building. By doing so, BIPV maximizes the amount of renewable energy that a building can generate, making it a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly option. Just as smart energy meters can track electricity usage, building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panels can track sunlight. By placing solar panels on building windows, roofs, and facades, the building can optimize energy production through shading devices.

In order for the Indian BIPV sector to grow, it needs the involvement of multiple stakeholders as frontline participants. The cost of BIPV is offset by the reduced amount spent on conventional building materials and labour. Additionally, once the building is operational, there are savings from the generated electrical energy from sunlight.

BIPV Potential for Buildings
The mapping of solar potential scores for buildings help in identifying the best surfaces for BIPV integration and efficient investment. For new buildings, a score mapping sytem can support the generation and modification of BIPV innovative designs for better energy and economic optimization with efficient material utilizations.

The real estate sector is a key driver of employment in India, second only to the agriculture sector. In the coming years, India's construction market is expected to grow rapidly, fuelled by the adoption of cutting-edge construction technologies. This provides a roadmap for investing time and effort in developing BIPV buildings.

The potential for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation in different states of India has calculated by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Indian PV Potential
States like Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh constitute 50% of the total PV potential in India. However, among the states, only Punjab, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have utilized more than 20% of their PV potential.  The remaining states have not been able to make use of a majority of their PV potential, which presents a significant opportunity for growth in the renewable energy sector.

India is now the 5th largest country in terms of installed solar capacity. With a target of procuring around 300 GW of electricity from solar by 2030, India is poised to make a big impact in the global solar market. To achieve the target, India has to focus on two key drivers: increasing tender activity, and decreasing the solar PV tariff. This will enable India to conclude one of the lowest solar auction bids around the globe.

Progression in PV Sector in India
Unlike standalone PV utility systems and rooftop solar systems, the penetration of the BIPV sector in the market requires direct renewable energy policies integrated with other uninitiated policies and regulations in the building energy and construction sectors.

To initiate and define a collective and concrete roadmap for BIPV implementation, the following factors are to be taken into consideration,

1. Perspective: Government policies, initiatives, and business models.
2. Opportunities: Multi-functionality and cost reduction.
3. BIPV Industrial Sphere: Technology readiness, supply chain, and certification.
4. Innovation Landscape: Research projects & engagement of international communities.
5. Defining Stakeholder Involvement: Need for stakeholder awareness, extensive project planning & execution.

BIPV Applications:

Facade: PV systems can be integrated into building facades, replacing traditional glazing with semi-transparent thin-film or crystalline solar panels. These surfaces typically have less access to direct sunlight than rooftop PV systems but can offer a larger available area.

Rooftops: In many cases, PV material can be used in lieu of roofing material, or even the roof itself. For example, in a pitched roof, solar shingles can be used in place of traditional shingles.

Walls & Canopy: The installation of BIPV systems can provide shading and shelter from extreme weather conditions, as well as generate energy, making it an ideal solution.

Glazing: Solar cells that are ultra-thin may be used to create surfaces that are semi-transparent. This would allow daylight to penetrate while simultaneously generating electricity.

BIPV Installation has the Following Benefits:

Solar companies that provide BIPV consulting services can help their clients to understand the process of installing BIPV and the associated benefits. By understanding the entire process, clients can make informed decisions. When developers and architects partner with a solar company like U-Solar, they can make a big difference in the BIPV sector. BIPV consultancy services must include the following steps for the best result.

BIPV Consultancy: When implementing BIPV, there are certain steps that should be followed in order to produce the best possible outcome. Certain basic steps include;

The First step is to work on BIPV design and consultation. This involves working closely with  architects to get the best possible design that meets the vision and needs of what a company is looking for.

After optimizing the design, the next step to be considered is technical evaluation. Here the assessment of BIPV layouts integrated with the building architecture from a technical. standpoint must take place. This includes reviewing the structural stability of the building, the electrical grid connection, and the performance of the BIPV system.

This step involves benchmarking various BIPV modules in the market. By benchmarking various BIPV modules against each other, a company can get a better idea of which one will best meet the needs in terms of cost, efficiency, and other factors.

Benefits of BIPV Consultancy Service;

 
When planning for a BIPV system, it is important to consider both environmental and structural factors. These factors can influence the economics, aesthetics, and overall functionality of the solar system. By taking both of these factors into account, you can maximize the value of your BIPV system.

The potential for solar energy to meet India's needs for both energy and buildings is a key challenge. If this potential can be realized through BIPV, it would match the growth of the construction and solar sectors in the country's upcoming urbanization. The world's progress toward the SDGs will largely depend on India's progress.

- Dhwani Sunku, Head of Business Development (Growth & Partnerships), U-Solar Clean Energy