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.

Georgia

Solar Market Outlook in Georgia

The traditional energy production in Georgia is based primarily on the importation of fossil fuels, along with hydropower and fuel. The country also serves as an important transit point for oil and gas. This is why the Georgian government has committed to improving the nation’s energy efficiency and maximizing its renewable energy potential. 

In the past decade or so, it has made significant strides in that campaign. The long-term goal for Georgia is to improve its energy security and to switch to a cleaner and more sustainable energy sector.

Tapping into solar energy sources is the most viable solution for this. In 2017, it started the development of the country’s first solar park. The government actively sought investors for this project that is capable of producing 5 MW of solar power. The total cost of the project is estimated at $3.45 Million with an annual solar power generation capacity of 7,100,000 KWh. 

Although Georgia is confronted with a variety of challenges in switching to renewable and affordable energy sources, the government has taken measures to address those issues. An important step towards this goal is to become a member of the EU4Energy Programme, which will enable Georgia to develop policies to benefit the renewable and solar energy sector.

Solar Energy Equipment Supply Capacity in Georgia

There are limited options when it comes to manufacturers and suppliers of solar equipment in Georgia. Therefore, most residential and commercial installations rely on importation from global and online suppliers.

Top Major Seaports & Logistics in Georgia

There are a few commercial ports in Georgia to facilitate the transport of solar equipment into the country. These ports include Poti, Supsa, Batumi, and Kulevi.