Building Integrated Photovoltaics Used in Residential Construction
This research is an independent project, focusing on todays energy sources. It is a comparison of conventional methods of producing energy and newer technologies using solar power. The conventional sources include fossil fuels and electricity. Photovoltaic (PV) technology converts sunlight into useable electricity. When a PV system is made an integral part of the construction materials, such as the roofing or glazing materials, it is called building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). BIPV makes implementation of solar technologies much easier and cost-effective in new construction, when compared to retrofits on existing buildings. With growing energy demands, constant pollution of the environment, and rapid exhaustion of our natural resources, an alternative such as BIPV should be considered in new residential construction projects. Therefore, the goal is to prove why BIPV should be used in the initial construction of personal homes and other residences, as the main source of electricity.
School:
North Carolina A&T State University
Department:
Architectural Engineering
Research Advisor:
Roch Ducey
Department of Research Advisor:
U. S. Army Construction Engineering Research Lab
Year of Publication:
2002