BIPV

What is a Building Integrated Photovoltaic or a BIPV?

Building Integrated Photovoltaics serves more than one purpose. BIPVs produce electricity by the piezoelectric effect and serve as protection for any structure. 

BIPVs are installed to provide shed, block sunlight, and give a modern look to any building, all this while producing electricity from sunlight.

Where is a BIPV used?

A BIPV is integrated into a structure like conventional buildings. BIPVs replace glass windows with Solar windows, parking shed rooftops with solar roofs and solar shades in place of translucent covers. All these changes make the look of any structure modern while being extremely useful.

Types of Building Integrated Photovoltaics

Solar panels are silicon-based photovoltaic cells that produce electricity from sunlight. With micro adjustments according to the application, these cells transform into BIPVs. Based on various applications, there are broadly four types of BIPVs.

Image credit: Research Gate

• Solar-Facades: Solar Facades’ integration in building structures keeps the noise and air pollution out and gives any building a visual identity. This all while producing green energy.

• Solar-Window: Solar windows find their application both in residential and commercial properties. These windows look like any other windows but with solar modules.

• Solar-Roofs: Solar roofs like that of Tesla Energy in the USA are becoming popular. In conventional rooftops, these solar tiles replace asphalt tiles. Every tile acts as an individual cell and connects in series to generate electricity.

• PV-Sunshades: Parking lot sheds are the best example of PV-Sunshades. Additionally, these shades protect buildings from direct sunlight.

How does a BIPV work?

BIPVs use opaque or transparent solar cells connected in series to each other to give a substantial amount of current output. These photovoltaics are located in the portion of the building exposed to the sun the most.

What are big manufacturing brands of BIPVs?

Tesla Energy is one major brand in the USA backed by Elon Musk. They manufacture solar cell tiles for residential rooftops. Customers get a variety of tiles according to the required strength and size.

Some other contributors in this niche are:

• D2solar
• Mysolar USA  
• Omnis Power USA Inc  
• Redwood Renewables
• Skyco Skylights
• Solaria
• Sonali Solar USA

Wholesalers

Solar Products Wholesalers 

Wholesaling refers to buying some products or goods directly from its manufacturer usually at a discount and then reselling it to the retailers for a comparatively higher cost than the original. Basically, wholesalers handle products and package them in small quantities and then sell them to retail customers, either for commercial or personal use. 

Many industries have wholesalers, and that will not skip the solar industries. Nowadays, many solar wholesale stores/firms are operating across the globe, making it much easier for retailers to go solar. Sometimes retailers find it hard to reach direct manufacturers of solar products because some companies do not have their solar stores/shops in public, with that they are not also offering solar products per piece. Through wholesale solar stores/shops, these individuals can easily buy the solar products that they need to replace or maintain their solar systems. 

If you are in need of solar product suppliers for an individual purpose, you may visit some solar outsourcing marketplace to get an updated list of solar wholesalers near your location. There are many solar platforms that provide enough information and data about the solar industry in your region, including all the reliable solar wholesalers in town.

El-Salvador

Solar Market Outlook in El Salvador

Despite being the smallest country in Central America, El Salvador is one of the strongest proponents of renewable energy production in the region. This is part of the government’s commitment to reduce emissions and to increase energy efficiency while utilizing the country’s tropical climate. The hot and humid weather, along with the high rate of sunshine per year, makes it the best location to utilize solar energy and other renewable energy sources. The average daily solar radiation in El Salvador is measured at 5 kWh/m2.

The National Energy Policy mandate in El Salvador has helped to boost its renewable energy production. Currently, it accounts for over 60% of the country’s energy production, although solar sources only contribute to 4% of that.

This is set to change in the coming years, though, as El Salvador is focused on increasing its solar PV installation capacity. They have helped increase PV generation capacity through auctions since 2014. Still, it cannot be denied that the solar market in El Salvador is still in the nascent stage and the government is looking at investment incentives and other policies to encourage development of solar PV. 

Solar Energy Equipment Supply Capacity in El Salvador

There is currently a limited amount of domestic investments on solar generation plants in El Salvador. However, there are plenty of global suppliers and distributors that can be tapped at the moment for those looking to make solar installations.

Major Seaports & Logistics in El Salvador

The Port of Acajutla is the primary seaport in El Salvador that facilitates the handling and logistics of solar equipment and other goods (both import and export). This makes it convenient for anyone looking to order from top suppliers for solar installations. 

In addition to this, there are other smaller ports like Port of La Union and Port of La Libertad