An increasingly common application of photovoltaics in Europe and USA is to integrate photovoltaic panels into the roof or façade of a building. The panels function as building mat and also gene rate electricity during the daytime. which is used to meet a part of t e electrical energy needs in the building. The environment friendly application is commonly referred to as building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) It is feasible to construct energy and aesthetically appealing buildings using this concept.
 

BIPJ has significant pot in India where a large number of buildings are constructed eve year for different purposes and where energy consumption in buildings is growing at .i rapid rate The PV panels function as building materials and also generate electricity during the daytime which is used to meet a part of the electrical energy needs in the building Although the initial costs of a BIPV system are high. there could be long tern savings through reduction in electricity consumption.
 

A typical BIPV system consists of
 

1. Special PV modules in capacities of tens of kilowatts. such modules are normally different from the modules used in other applications.

2. A battery bank to store the energy generated during daytime.

3. An inverter / power conditioning system which will deliver steady AC power for different purposes in the building.

4. Special structures. water-proofing arrangements etc.
    

There is not enough experience in the country in this field. In order to encourage this application and prepare manufacturers and users. it is proposed to support BIPV projects during 20O2-O in demonstration mode, beginning with the buildings of the Ministry and its institutions and some prestigious projects.
 

It is proposed to meet 80% of the cost of the PV modules actually used in such projects by way of grant to the building organizations. If the grant is channeled through a state renewable energy agency. a small service charge of 2% of the MNES assistance will be given to the state agency for work connected with developing the project. processing it and monitoring the per of the system The balance 20% of the cost of the modules as well as the expenditure on batteries. inverters structures, transportation installation will have to be borne by the user organization.
 

Each project will be sanctioned individually after scrutiny of proposal.