The Integration of photovoltaics (PV) into building systems
represents a growth market for the electrical contracting firm.
PV combined into exterior building elements such as the
building’s roof and exterior walls is typically referred to as
building- integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). With BIPV, the entire
exterior of the building has the potential to be an electric
power generator by harvesting incident sunlight and converting
the captured solar energy into electricity. For example, today
it is possible to get photovoltaics into a variety of building
materials ranging from roofing shingles for residential and
light commercial buildings to vision and spandrel glass panels
for commercial and institutional buildings. As the PV market
grows, building owners will need help planning, installing and
maintaining PV systems for their buildings, which will offer a
tremendous opportunity for the electrical contractor prepared to
fulfill this need. When PV is directly integrated into the
building’s exterior elements, it