The integration of photovoltaics (PV) into buildings goes beyond energy saving by providing a clean and elegant way of actually generating electricity. There are already numerous successful examples and rapid technological improvements promise expansion of PV's present niche market to that of a major energy provider of the 21st century. This handbook is the outcome of a five year programme which took place under the auspices of the International Energy Agency. Architects and solar experts from 13 countries addressed the wide range of engineering and architectural issues involved in the successful integration of PV into buildings. It demonstrates how to maximise the overall solar contribution to the building; integrate PV effectively with the building structure; clarify the relationship of PV with other elements of the building's energy system; optimise the system economics. It forms a thorough design guide that covers all aspects if the subject and will enable all building designers, engineers and property owners to make the integration of PV into buildings an architecturally appealing and energetically effective option.

A complete overview of solar technologies relevant to the built environment, including solar thermal energy for heating and cooling, passive solar energy for daylighting and heating supply, and photovoltaics for electricity production Provides practical examples and calculations to enable component and system simulation e.g. Calculation of U-values, I-V curve parameters and radiance distribution modelling Discusses the new trends in thermal energy use, including the architectural integration of collector systems, integrated ventilation photovoltaics facades and solar powered absorption cooling systems Coverage of cutting-edge applications such as active and passive cooling techniques and results from ongoing research projects

Designing with Solar Power is the result of international collaborative research and development work carried out within the framework of the International Energy Agency's Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) and performed within its Task 7 on 'Photovoltaic power systems in the built environment'. Each chapter of this precisely detailed and informative book has been prepared by an international expert in a specific area related to the development, use and application of building-integrated photovoltaics (BiPV). Chapters not only cover the basics of solar power and electrical concepts, but also investigate the ways in which photovoltaics can be integrated into the design and creation of buildings equipped for the demands of the 21st century. The potential for BiPV, in both buildings and other structures, is explored together with broader issues such as market deployment, and international marketing and government strategies. In addition, more than 20 contemporary international case studies describe in detail how building-integrated photovoltaics have been applied to new and existing buildings, and discuss the architectural and technical quality, and the success of various strategies. Packed with photographs and illustrations, this book is an invaluable companion for architects, builders, designers, engineers, students and all involved with the exciting possibilities of building-integrated photovoltaics.

A handbook on how to integrate photovoltaics into building skins.

Solar Energy is an authoritative reference on the design of solar energy systems in building projects, with applications, operating principles, and simple tools for the construction, engineering, and design professional. The book simplifies the solar design and engineering process, providing sample documentation and special tools that provide all the information needed for the complete design of a solar energy system for buildings to enable mainstream MEP and design firms, and not just solar energy specialists, to meet the growing demand for solar energy systems in building projects.

Solar Energy in Buildings presents solar radiation fundamentals and their applications in buildings, supported by theoretical analysis and results of original simulation studies in solar energy availability, collection, and conversion for both active and passive use. In-depth coverage of energy balance and heat transfer in building envelopes is supported by the inclusion of calculations and case studies, while contextualizing within an integrated design approach. - Explains the best uses of cutting-edge advances such as concentrated solar thermal, thermoelectric and polymetric materials - Covers active and passive solar collection and conversion systems - Provides energy balance calculations and case studies deriving from real installations connect theory and practice