This note, DES 28, originally published in August 1999, was reviewed by Deo Prasad in July 2004.
This Note deals specifically with architectural issues associated with photovoltaics in buildings and follows on from BEDP EDG Note TEC 4, which provides a description of the electrical principles of photovoltaic (PV) technology. New photovoltaic materials offer new design options: the challenge for designers is to combine technological and architectural considerations to produce integrated applications in buildings. This Note presents some of the limits and opportunities that architecturally integrated PV presents and gives an outline of key issues for the conceptual designer to consider.