High-level financial assessment of colored BIPV façades: Case study in Singapore

Abstract

Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) on façade areas is an innovative trend for on-site clean energy generation on a large façade areas and hence also for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. For densely built-up environments like the city state of Singapore, optimally integrated BIPV systems into the building envelope are critical to achieve Super Low Energy (SLE), or even Zero Energy (ZE) or Plus Energy (PE) buildings. In the framework of a Sino-Singapore research project, a first real-world test-bedding of colored BIPV façades have been conducted at National University of Singapore (NUS) campus. This paper discusses the financial viability of an innovative colored BIPV technology for applications in tropical urban areas and beyond.