Modular Solar System for Building Integration

Building integrated solar systems, which means components of solar thermal collectors and/or solar photovoltaics (PV) are completely integrated with building envelopes, can potentially provide additional functions of on-site hot water and electric generation over the building envelopes’ basic functions, i.e. weatherproof and thermal insulation. This is different from the conventional approach of applying solar systems into buildings. Traditionally, end-users purchase and install solar thermal collectors and/or PV panels on a building’s roof or façade according to their own requirements after the completion of building construction. Potential risks of the conventional approach, such as that the appearance and internal structure of the building envelope can be damaged, seriously restrict the development and implementation of solar technologies’ building application. Building integrated solar systems can eliminate these risks by taking the advantage of using areas of building envelopes (i.e. walls, roofs and windows) for immediate solar energy capture and conservation. In so doing, it can effectively reduce the construction time and cost, and enhance building envelopes’ security. In addition, some latest building integrated solar systems will also improve the thermal performance of building envelope and thus reduce building heating and cooling demands. This chapter mainly introduces how to integrate solar systems into building envelopes, and thus provides a reference for achieving effective and efficient utilization of solar energy in buildings and improving the prediction and optimization of building energy demands.