Dept. of Energy seeks input on building-integrated photovoltaic systems

Integrating solar generation into building components could boost material and supply chain efficiencies and reduce costs

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and Building Technologies Office (BTO) recently issued a request for information to gather input on technical and commercial challenges and opportunities for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems.

Roof-mounted solar systems on buildings are more common, but BIPV systems offer other ways to site solar technologies on buildings. The options include directly integrating solar modules into the roof or the building’s facade.

Integrating solar generation directly into building components could improve material and supply chain efficiencies and reduce system costs, the department says. “Innovative strategies that use building-integrated photovoltaics can improve solar integration, enable new designs and uses, and support our decarbonization goals,” says Kelly Speakes-Backman, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

The goal of the RFI is to identify and quantify barriers to BIPV deployment and inform future strategy and program development in this area. SETO and BTO are seeking feedback from industry, research laboratories, academia, government agencies, and other stakeholders related to BIPV technologies and markets.

The deadline for responses is April 1, 2022.

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