Building Integrated Photovoltaic for Architectural Façades in Singapore

Abstract

Background: Singapore is a compact city-state predominantly of high-rise towers. Glass curtain walls are one the most popular building envelope systems in commercial development and there is much potential to incorporate emerging solar energy capture in facade technologies such as glass Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV). Facades present a larger surface area, for instance, if compared to the roof area. Singapore buildings are the second largest energy consumer after vehicles. If well managed, the built environment plays a pivotal role in mitigating high-energy consumption, enhancing environmental protection and improving user-centered and aesthetic qualities of the built form. This includes architecture, landscape and urban infrastructure. Singapore’s Sustainable Blueprint and Green Plan 2012 had set goals for the country to achieve economic growth and clean-living environment. With nearly 6 million people Singapore’s population has been increasing since its independence in 1965 however, its electricity consumption has been decreasing since 2012. This is being achieved through sustainability programs such as the Green Mark Scheme set by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) which is a government initiative. Methods: This paper is based on a critical review of Glass Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) technology. It also reviews market models for the commercial uptake of technological innovation. Conclusions: This paper presents recommendations to accelerate BIPV uptake in the property market. In particular in the Singaporean context and geographic equatorial location with high solar incidence. It provides short and long-term strategy for policy development and practice including clients, developers, architects and other project consultants who take early project-decisions. An adoption framework is put forward aligned with current (1) property market architectural trends, (2) technological innovation and (3) life-cycle costing assessment to support investment decisions at early project stages.