Using principles of photovoltaic panels on vertical building envelope

From both energy, and ecology policy points of view, buildings need to promote a trend toward the development of energy conservation, cost-effective way to reduce energy use, environmentally safe facilities, and sustainable architecture. In the last twenty years, great improvements have been made in the energy efficiency of buildings. However, the gains, in passive and active approaches, already made are seemed to be just a start to the process. Photovoltaics integrated into buildings can help to take building technology to the next step, by generating electricity while enhancing efficiency. Recent trends in PV and building technologies imply that PV's make sense as a building product. The integration of PV's into buildings could effectively decrease the cost of the PV system while transforming building envelope from energy consumers to energy producers. The vertical building envelope has an important role in creation of the architectural form and the ambiance in consistency with the function and external environment of the building. Therefore, to achieve the required comfort conditions, the design, proportioning of solids, and detailing of the building envelope is essential. Especially in PV integrated construction the issue gains more importance, because PVs have their own properties that affect the system options and design of the envelope. For example, for optimum output, a PV system not only must be mounted at the proper tilt, it also must face the best altitude angle of the sun. Naturally, the designs of optional forms of envelope are directly related to the effective using of PV panels. Within this context, the article will introduce you to the basic design principles of building envelope with PV panels. The aim is to give a brief summary of PV systems, options and opportunities of effective using in vertical building envelope, and constructional necessities.