Building Integrated Photovoltaics: Solar Panels that Double as Skylights

Solar panels that double as skylights? Really!

We love the idea of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), yet beyond solar shingles or solar windows, what can you really do to integrate solar electricity generating building materials into your home?

Consider these solar panels that double as skylights, developed by Architect Gerald Choi. Personally, Choi needed to update some skylights in his home, but the estimate shocked him at over $50,000.

Spurred on by necessity, Choi invented combination bi-facial skylight PV system. These skylights/solar panels allow sunlight/moonlight to flow in, while solar power is generated. Not only that, but the system is practically hidden from view!

When working on his revolutionary solar panels/skylights, Choi discovered that he could slash the $26,000 retail cost for the materials to only $13,000 due to solar rebates and government tax credits. And, since installing the BIPV system, Choi’s utility bills have dropped to $18 a month. The solar panels that double as skylights produce enough energy that Choi can take advantage of net metering to sell back extra electricity to the local grid.

Jerrod Schreck, president of Hoku Solar and the man that helped design Choi’s system, comments that we will see more BIPV developments in the near future:

“I see the time coming when PV systems are architecturally integrated [into the structure]. We’re going to be developing PV systems working with architects. When they start drawing new buildings, they’ll already be talking about the energy load.”

This is the time at which we are seeing convergence of design with economics. Sleek, more invisible means of generating clean solar power will become more popular and affordable as we move away from our dirty, fossil fuel habits.

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