Moser Baer Solar Ltd has commissioned a building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology led solar application in Hyderabad. The project has been implemented by the engineering procurement construction (EPC) arm of Moser Baer.
BIPV technology converts glass windows, front facades, exteriors and other building integrated applications into solar panels, which capture sunlight and convert them into power. This is the first time Moser Baer has used this technology.
By avoiding the cost of conventional materials, the incremental cost of photovoltaics (PV) is reduced and its life-cycle cost is improved, the company said in a statement. “BIPV systems often have lower overall costs than PV systems requiring separate, dedicated, mounting systems,” it added.
Explaining how BIPV becomes cost effective, an industry source told Business Line that a normal glass panel would cost Rs 5,000-Rs 6,000 sq m. When replaced with a PV device then there is an additional cost of 25-30 per cent. But, this additional cost of 25-30 per cent is spent on generating power.
Using this technology, the exterior façade on the front of the Jubilee Hills shopping complex at Hyderabad has been converted into solar panels to erect a 1.8 kWp solar application, the company said. These panels will generate electricity to meet the power requirements in the corridors of the shopping complex.
BIPV is a part of the PV industry but, due to its possible usage as building products is also seen as part of the “Green Building” movement. While the Green Building concept is firmly established in countries like Japan and Korea, it is rapidly gaining momentum in China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the rest of the world.