| A promising renewable energy technology that | | | | necessary. They can be designed to blend in and |
| breaks down pre-existing concerns and hesitation | | | | look like conventional building materials and designs, |
| about solar energy is called Building Integrated | | | | such as: |
| Photovoltaics (BIPV). These systems actually build | | | | - The facade of a building, such as traditional view |
| solar cells into the construction of a building. They | | | | or decorated glass. This is an emerging technology |
| look as natural as what would have been a | | | | that has not been perfected, but can still have a |
| conventional roof, window, awning, and even | | | | significant impact. |
| concrete. They are often made of flexible "thin | | | | - Photovoltaics can be incorporated into external |
| film", which is also a relatively new and exciting | | | | structures such as awnings. In this case they are |
| technology. | | | | obviously most effective in areas or sides of the |
| BIPV systems can provide savings in electricity | | | | building that get the most sun. |
| costs for years to come. In some areas solar | | | | - The most common use of building integrated |
| energy can almost completely replace | | | | photovoltaics are in roofing systems, where solar |
| conventional electric sources, but in almost every | | | | shingles or panels are substituted for traditional |
| area the electricity provided can at least provide | | | | roofing. Again, these solar cells can often be made |
| enough benefit to make conversion to | | | | of flexible thin film. |
| photovoltaic worthwhile | | | | - Skylights made of solar cells can be a very |
| These systems can be made to be "on-grid", or | | | | effective form of BIPV |
| interfaced with the local electric utility. That way, | | | | As exciting as the above technologies are, there |
| not only does the homeowner get "free" | | | | has even been research about building |
| electricity for their own use, they also can | | | | photovoltaic solar cells into concrete and other |
| automatically sell it back to the utility. Not only | | | | building materials. Soon this technology may be |
| might you receive no electric bills, you might | | | | widespread and conventional, but for now you |
| actually receive a check back from the electric | | | | can get a head start while saving electricity, |
| company some months! The on grid system also | | | | reducing your carbon footprint, and serving as a |
| guarantees a back-up source of power as | | | | model for others. |