Review of building integrated applications of photovoltaic and solar thermal systems

The most well known building integration of solar energy applications is building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV). Nonetheless, there is another type of building integration technology - building integrated photovoltaic-thermal (BIPV/T), which is gaining popularity. In this paper the discussions start with introducing the BIPV and compared to the BIPV/T technologies. BIPV refers to designs with or without ventilated fluid (air or water), which is able to cool the PV panels and increase the electrical output, and the fluid is then exhausted to the ambient. Whereas for the BIPV/T, ventilated fluid is used as working fluid to collect heat from the PV panel for heating or drying purposes. Installations of BIPV and BIPV/T systems on the roof and wall, as well as using different heat transfer working fluids are also discussed. Case studies of such building integration technologies are also reviewed, including the economics aspect. Therefore, this paper aims to provide constructive information on the advantages, as well as addressing the limitations of these technologies, which could be used as references for scientists and engineers in the building and construction industries.