Life Cycle Cost Aspects of BIPV and Conventional Building Components

Abstract

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) components can replace conventional components for the construction of building skins and they can produce renewable electricity during their lifetime. BIPV components can have therefore lower life cycle costs than conventional building components, which do not generate any gain during their lifecycle. The detailed calculation of economical profitability of BIPV is dependent on multiple factors, such as the specific case and the specific basic conditions. However, exemplary calculations indicate that it is possible to compensate the cumulative costs of BIPV components, at least to a significant degree, if the gain of the renewable electricity production during a BIPV component’s lifetime is considered in the life cycle cost calculations. Accordingly, BIPV systems are in general economically more profitable than ground-mounted PV power plants in open areas.