Syllabus:
GS3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
Context: With over 17 GW installed by April 2025, rooftop solar is becoming a vital part of India’s renewable push, especially in urban areas with high energy demand and space constraints.
More on the News
- The scalability is constrained by the limited availability of shadow-free rooftop spaces.
- Boosting solar adoption in densely populated cities therefore requires us to look beyond traditional rooftop-mounted solar systems and towards Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV).
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
- BIPV enables buildings to generate power by embedding solar components into their structural elements.
- Purposes:
- Generating electricity and working as a structural part of a building. Unlike RTS systems, which are added to rooftops, BIPV systems are embedded into the building’s architectural fabric like in façades (the front exterior of a building), roofs, windows and railings.
- They replace conventional construction materials such as glass, tiles and cladding with solar alternatives.
Incorporation of BIPV
- Facades can host semi-transparent BIPV panels that serve as curtain walls or cladding, generating electricity while reducing the entry of heat. Traditional roofing materials can be replaced with BIPV panels, allowing power generation without altering the building’s structure.
- Transparent or semi-transparent BIPV panels can be integrated into windows and skylights to let in natural light while generating clean energy. Solar elements can also be built into balconies, canopies, atriums, and shading devices, using existing structures without extra space.
- With their discreet design, BIPVs suit residential, commercial, and public spaces like airports, stations, and schools. They can be customized in transparency, color, size, and shape to match aesthetic needs.
Need for BIPV in India
- BIPVs are vital due to space limits and the push for sustainable cities. According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs India’s urban population is expected to hit 600 million by 2031 and 850 million by 2051.
- In the high-rise buildings of India’s populous cities, rooftop space is often insufficient to install RTS systems. Since BIPV can be integrated into various parts of a building’s envelope, it can use available surfaces more efficiently.
- Traditional roofing materials can be replaced with BIPV panels, allowing power generation without altering the building’s structure.
- BIPVs can also be used in standalone homes and balconies of residences without rooftop access. In Germany, around 1.5 million balconies feature solar panels, helping households cut electricity bills by up to 30%.
- Windows and skylights can use transparent or semi-transparent solar panels that let in natural light while generating clean energy. Solar panels can also be added to balconies, canopies, atriums, and shading devices, using existing structures to produce power without needing extra space.
Status of BIPVs in India
- India now hosts notable BIPV installations. The CtrlS Datacenters in Navi Mumbai has an 863-kWp system across four façades.
- Kolkata’s Renewable Energy Museum, opened in 2024, features a solar-powered dome with over 2,000 panels. Large BIPV systems are also in place at Jindal Steel in Odisha and railway stations in Vijayawada and Sahibabad.
Challenges in adaptation of BIPV in India
- High initial costs
- Policy gaps
- Inadequate technical capacity
- Reliance on imports
Way Forward
- Seoul’s dedicated scheme, which covers up to 80% of BIPV installation costs, shows how to mainstream it in urban construction. India could boost its solar policies by offering higher BIPV incentives, especially in dense city areas.
- In 2024, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy included BIPV under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, aimed at installing RTS in one crore homes. Households with limited roof space can opt for BIPV and receive subsidies up to ₹78,000 for a 3-kW system—similar to RTS support. Similar incentives are needed for commercial and industrial sectors.
- Europe’s building rules promote solar use and BIPV through clear standards. India can do the same by adding BIPV to its National Building Code, Energy Conservation Code, and Eco Niwas Samhita.
- Financial arrangements such as the Renewable Energy Service Company model and long-term power purchase agreements can help enhance project reliability and enable large-scale BIPV deployment.
- Pilot BIPV projects in public infrastructure can boost visibility and acceptance. Supporting local manufacturing with incentives, R&D, and awareness for architects and developers will strengthen the ecosystem.