With the deepening integration of green buildings and renewable energy, BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) solar panels have become a hot topic in the construction industry. Unlike traditional rooftop photovoltaic panels, BIPV panels not only generate electricity but also function as a direct component of the building structure, widely used in roofs, curtain walls, sunshades, skylights, balcony railings, and other applications. Consequently, a growing number of architectural designers, developers, owners, and system integrators are asking: Can the size, color, and transparency of BIPV solar panels be customized? The answer is yes. This article will comprehensively analyze the customization capabilities of BIPV panels and their flexible applications in modern architecture, focusing on technical principles, customization scope, and practical application cases.
1. Core Features of BIPV Solar Panels
Before discussing customization, it is important to understand the basic structure and features of BIPV panels:
BIPV, or Building Integrated Photovoltaics, is the product of the deep integration of photovoltaic power generation technology with architectural design. The key differences between BIPV modules and traditional photovoltaic modules are:
Not only does it generate electricity, it also provides architectural functions (such as sunshade, wind and rain protection, and thermal insulation);
It has high aesthetic requirements and must coordinate with the building's facade style;
It has strong structural requirements and must comply with building structural load, wind pressure resistance, and safety glazing specifications.
Because BIPV modules fulfill the dual functions of building materials and energy generation, flexible customization in terms of appearance, function, and size is particularly important.
2. Size Customization: Adapting to Diverse Architectural Needs
Standard Sizes vs. Flexible Customization
Currently, standard photovoltaic modules on the market typically measure 1820mm × 1134mm or 2279mm × 1134mm, which are mass-produced specifications. In the BIPV sector, however, standard sizes often fail to meet the flexible requirements of architectural design.
For this reason, BIPV manufacturers typically offer a variety of custom sizes, ranging from as small as a few hundred millimeters to large curtain wall panels (over 3000mm). The key to customization is:
Consistency with building modules: such as curtain wall module and roof pitch;
Convenient construction and assembly: such as compatible slots, frames, and keel structures;
Appropriate electrical performance: Different sizes correspond to different power outputs, requiring a well-designed series and parallel arrangement of cells.
Technical Limitations of Custom Sizes
Although BIPV modules can be customized, they are not "unlimited." The following factors affect the scope of size customization:
Glass processing limit: Conventional tempered glass can reach a maximum size of 3.2m × 2.4m, but flatness and strength decrease beyond this size;
Cell arrangement: The module size must accommodate an integral number of cells, otherwise efficiency decreases;
Transportation and installation convenience: Excessively large sizes are difficult to hoist and transport on site.
In summary, BIPV modules can be customized in sizes ranging from 300mm × 300mm to 3000mm × 2000mm, but the design must balance aesthetics and engineering feasibility.
3. Color Customization: Breaking the "Blue Panel" Stereotype
3.1 Color Issues with Traditional Photovoltaic Panels
Traditional photovoltaic panels are primarily dark blue or black, their color derived from the light-absorbing properties of silicon crystals and the backsheet material. This appearance often appears dull and monotonous in architectural applications, hindering visual harmony.
3.2 BIPV Color Customization Technologies
To address the monotonous color issue, BIPV panels have developed a variety of color processing technologies, including:
Color Coated Glass: Low-emissivity (Low-E) or oxide films are applied to the surface of photovoltaic glass to create colors such as gold, gray, green, bronze, and brick red;
Ceramic Sintering Printing: Colored glazes are printed on the glass surface and sintered at high temperatures to create a colorful pattern, suitable for customized logos or patterned curtain walls;
Microstructured Diffractive Optical Film: Nanostructures control light reflectivity, achieving controllable color while balancing transmittance and power generation efficiency;
Backside Coloring + Pitch Control: Color rendering effects are achieved by adjusting the cell pitch and backsheet color. 3.3 Common Color Options
Currently, mainstream BIPV colors include but are not limited to:
Black: Stylish and elegant, suitable for modern, high-end buildings;
Gray: Suitable for office buildings and commercial complexes;
Bronze/gold/brown-red: Paired with glass curtain walls, suitable for Chinese-style designs or renovations of historic buildings;
Blue-green/forest green: Suitable for campuses, parks, and ecological buildings.
Although color treatments slightly reduce photovoltaic efficiency (approximately 5-15%), architects often prioritize aesthetics over efficiency, especially in areas not primarily generating electricity.
4. Customizable Transparency
Another significant advantage of BIPV is its adjustable transparency, making it particularly suitable for applications requiring both daylighting and power generation, such as glass curtain walls, skylights, balcony railings, and awnings.
4.1 Structural Principles of Transparent BIPV
Transparent BIPV modules generally use the following two structures:
Spaced Cell BIPV: Gaps are left between the cells, allowing natural light to pass through. Light transmittance can range from 10% to 50%. Semi-transparent cell types (such as perovskite or dye-sensitized): They inherently have a certain degree of light transmittance and are suitable for future applications.
4.2 Application Scenarios for Customized Transparency
Skylight roofs: For example, rooftops of subway stations and convention centers, a transmittance of 20%-40% can be set.
Glass curtain walls: A transmittance of 15%-30% ensures a balanced view while maintaining shading.
Balcony glass/railings: A transmittance of 30% or higher is ideal.
Landscape pergolas/awnings: Transmittance can be customized to meet the needs of plant growth.
Different transmittances significantly impact power generation efficiency, but significantly improve visual comfort, spatial brightness, and overall living experience.
5. Customized BIPV Case Studies
Case 1: Curtain Wall Project for an Office Building in a Shanghai Science and Technology Park
Requirement: The exterior facade needed to maintain a modern look, using a light gray BIPV glass curtain wall. Customization Details:
Dimensions: 1200mm × 2400mm
Color: Silver-gray coating
Transmittance: 20%
Effect: Perfectly blends in with the surrounding office building facades while providing over 60,000 kWh of clean electricity annually.
Case 2: Chongqing Middle School Skylight Project
Requirements: The school needed daylight in the atrium while also seeking to utilize photovoltaic power generation.
Customization Details:
Dimensions: 1000mm × 2000mm
Color: Natural blue
Transmittance: 35%
Effect: Provides soft, non-glare light in the atrium, generates over 20,000 kWh of electricity annually, and serves as an auxiliary lighting system.
6. Customized BIPV Considerations and Partnership Suggestions
Although BIPV modules offer powerful customization capabilities, the following points should be considered at the outset of a project:
Early involvement in the design phase: Customization parameters must be coordinated with the building's modular design;
Choose a professional BIPV solar module manufacturer: They offer the triple guarantee of customized production, structural safety, and power generation performance;
Balance between aesthetics and efficiency: Color and transparency can affect photovoltaic conversion efficiency;
Emphasis on construction support: Curtain wall systems, cabling, and safety brackets must all be customized;
Consider ongoing maintenance: Customized modules must meet standards for easy cleaning, easy replacement, and safe maintenance.
With the deep integration of architectural aesthetics and energy technology, customization of BIPV solar module size, color, and transparency is no longer just a bonus feature; it has become crucial to the success of "architectural photovoltaic" projects. Through flexible customization, BIPV not only enhances the visual appeal of buildings but also truly integrates green energy into everyday life, achieving a win-win situation of sustainable development and artistic value.
If you require customized BIPV solar modules for your project, we recommend working with a supplier with BIPV design and manufacturing capabilities to obtain the optimal solution that meets both architectural aesthetics and energy efficiency requirements.
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