Building-integrated photovoltaic application - its practice in Hong Kong

Significant progress of renewable energy applications in Hong Kong has been made in recent years, especially building-integrated photovoltaic applications (BIPV). This paper presents an overall review of the BIPV projects completed in Hong Kong and the main results from two monitored BIPV systems. The technical, economical and management issues have been investigated for using the building-integrated photovoltaic technology in the territory. The problems and difficulties for its applications are discussed. The technical issue also includes the insulation and shading effects of BIPV claddings on building facades and the harmonics of the power output from PV systems. The technical and management requirements from the local utilities for grid connection and the test and commissioning details of the BIPV applications are also reported.