3.

1 Location constraints
Here are two examples that exemplify the extremes of challenges for BIPV place-
ment on a building. The Solar Office, Doxford International Business Park, a 73kWP
BIPV façade (Fig. 3.3), is highly optimised for solar collection: facing south, next
to a car park, so free from any shading, and with a façade tilted 30° back from ver-
tical for a better angle to the noon sun.
In contrast, 10 Whitfield Street (Fig. 3.1) is an infill development in a dense urban
context. The architect had to work within tight spatial constraints. Since the top of
the building already had solar water heating and a brown roof, opportunity for BIPV
was left as the southern face of a bay window. An array of six PV modules were be
fitted forming a 1.6kWP array, to generate power while at the same time reducing
solar gain to the internal space (Fig. 3.2). Though a small array in a less-than-opti-
mal position, it does contribute to wider appreciation of renewable energy and gen-
eral awareness simply by its street-level presence.

This chapter looks at the site and building type, both being key factors in assessing
the suitability of a building for PV and specifically BIPV. Where there is flexibility
in the design of a new building, PVs should be fully considered at the outset since
the PV array can influence the building’s orientation, footprint, layout and form.
However where form is dictated by other factors, opportunities for PV on a building
need to be examined systematically, as follows:
― 3.2 Tilt and orientation of building surfaces available
― 3.3 Assessing the degree of overshadowing
― 3.4 Grouping of modules for electrical connection
― 3.5 Minimising partial shading
― 3.6 Temperature effect and ventilation
― 3.7 Potential power output

Fig. 3.1 A typical central London location with
buildings crowded together. This view is looking
south onto the bay window of 10 Whitfield Street on
the left.
Photo: Simon Roberts
Fig. 3.3 Looking north across the car park to the
73kWP BIPV façade of the Solar Office, Doxford Inter-
national (UK).
Photo courtesy: Schüco International KG

Fig. 3.2 The south-facing side of the bay window

has a 1.6kWP array. The PV modules are clearly visi-
ble at street level to passers-by.
Photo: Simon Roberts

32 3. PV FOR DESIGNERS