We have all seen the large panels sitting on armatures atop roofs or siting on large lawns. They can be an eyesore and many people are resistant to the idea of solar purely based on the aesthetics. I have had some clients fight me tooth and nail over where to put the solar panels or if to use them at all.

I have been very excited in the recent years about developing technologies surrounding building integrated solar power systems. The idea is to integrate solar collection into roofing materials, windows and other cladding. This takes the outward expression of the solar collection system and makes it a part of the outward expression of the building's shell.

The applications for residential structures are a little behind the commercial ones, but its coming and hopefully someday, the ideal roof will be composed of long lasting panels that are moisture protection, radiant protection, and energy producers all wrapped up into one.

Third generation solar cell technology promised to make building integrated solar more and more feasible and provide many more opportunities than currently exist.

building integrated solar? never heard of it. Sounds like it could be the wave of the future. Just one question. When you have a roof that has a south face, likely you will have one with a north face as well. Do you use different materials on either side. I guess it wouldn't be any trouble to construct so long as the materials didn't have an extreme weight difference, but are homebuyers going to balk at this idea when it comes to resale?

If only third generation solar was ready, tested and cost effective already. Its great to dream about these things, and I do hope that it becomes the norm, but it could take years or even decades for this to be a ubiquitous technology.

I've been following a company called Konarka for some time now. They have a product called power plastic. It does have some promise for this type of application but its power output just isn't up to par yet.

I just saw an ad in a trade journal for a standing seam roof system with integrated thin film solar. How wonderful! I think this is a good sign, one that will grow and as people become more in tune with the idea of BIPV, then we will see it on more projects, the price will come down and then maybe it will become an industry standard.

Ah to dream!!!

BIPV, IMHO will eventually become ubiquitous in the structures of tomorrow. Its almost a no brainer. When prices come down and technologies and efficiencies reach certain levels, a designer, owner, developer and so on would be neglectful if they did not use the technology.

The idea of an energy producing product that performs on par or outperforms a similar not energy producing product, is an easy choice. Once prices come down it won't be a choice, rather a market force that will change the way we build.