Market potential is enormous! A comprehensive analysis of key design points, installation diagrams, and real-world case studies for building-material-inspired photovoltaic wall systems.

With the gradual introduction of domestic policies related to building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and the continuous growth of the BIPV industry, the application of photovoltaics in architecture has moved beyond mere mechanical integration—it’s now evolving into a deeper, more seamless fusion. Today’s PV modules not only deliver excellent light-transmitting performance but also replicate the texture and aesthetic appeal of aluminum-based building materials, harmoniously blending with architectural design and enhancing its overall beauty. According to industry data analysis, in a building's exterior envelope, non-transparent exterior wall areas account for as much as 70%, while transparent glass doors and windows make up about 20%. As photovoltaic technology and material processes continue to advance, today’s building-integrated photovoltaic products can now replicate the visual effects of traditional building materials such as stone and aluminum panels. Consequently, in non-transparent areas of building facades, these building-integrated photovoltaic products hold immense market potential and are poised to become a key pathway for driving the development of green architecture and helping achieve the "dual carbon" goals.

Haikou Mobile Building's Aluminum-Imitated Photovoltaic Curtain Wall Simply put, the design of building-material-inspired photovoltaic curtain wall products should follow these key points: 1. The architectural design team should collaborate with architects to initially propose key design elements such as facade functionality, appearance, and panel layout. 2. In low-latitude regions, it is advisable to install modules at an appropriate tilt angle—90° tilts are not recommended. 3. When photovoltaic components serve as part of the exterior facade decoration, thorough consideration must be given to PV cooling and how the modules integrate with curtain wall connections. 4. For large-scale photovoltaic installation projects, when indoor cables pass through walls, pre-embedded conduits should be installed, with careful attention paid to both the number of entry points and the subsequent cable routing paths to ensure overall feasibility and efficiency. 5. Wall-penetrating cable conduits should not be placed within structural columns.

Stone-Effect Photovoltaic Curtain Wall – Product Installation Diagram

Cadmium Telluride-Based Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Products

Shanghai Caohejing Datong International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Park's cadmium telluride-aluminum-like photovoltaic curtain wall features Hangzhou Xiaohe 110 kV Substation For example, the project’s exterior curtain wall does not use traditional aluminum panels but instead features Longyan cadmium telluride-aluminum-like photovoltaic building materials. According to statistics, The substation's facade curtain wall features large-format photovoltaic building materials made from aluminum-cadmium telluride, available in various sizes such as 1200*1200mm and 1200*1800mm, with an installed capacity of approximately 36 kilowatts. From above, the entire substation’s roof is seamlessly covered with evenly colored cadmium telluride photovoltaic building materials. The total installed capacity is approximately 64.2 kilowatts, and it can reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 80 tons each year. , achieving the milestone of fully green-electricity-powered substation operations. The project won the second prize in Zhejiang Province's BIM Design Competition.

The facade curtain wall of the Xiahe Substation, featuring aluminum-imitating cadmium telluride photovoltaic building materials, boasts a color and appearance that harmoniously blend with the surrounding commercial buildings.

The facade layout diagram of the small river substation's aluminum-imitating curtain wall takes Hangzhou Yitang Energy Technology Factory's Yi Cai photovoltaic curtain wall as an example. It features a dynamic tilt-angle design combined with Yi Cai technology's intelligent color-rendering process, enhancing both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Achieve an average of 2 hours of midday electricity avoidance per day, boosting per-unit-area revenue by 18% while simultaneously reducing indoor temperatures by 4–6°C. Combining energy efficiency, resource conservation, and artistic expression, this system transforms a 4,000㎡ facade into a dynamic canvas of light and shadow. On sunny days, the metallic sheen comes alive, while in overcast or rainy conditions, the surface takes on a subtle matte texture—both elements shifting dynamically with the environment. This innovative approach not only redefines the traditional image of industrial buildings but also establishes the structure as a cutting-edge urban tech landmark. Moreover, its cost-effective design coupled with high profitability has attracted third-party investments, significantly shortening the project’s payback period.

The project features a photovoltaic capacity of 542 kW, with an estimated annual power generation of approximately 320,000 kWh. At the agreed electricity tariff of 0.73 yuan/kWh, the annual revenue from power generation reaches about 230,000 yuan. Compared to traditional aluminum panel curtain walls, The Yancai facade photovoltaic system has an investment cost of approximately 300 yuan per square meter (about 2.3 yuan/watt), resulting in a total project investment increase of roughly 1.35 million yuan. The payback period for this incremental investment is approximately 5.9 years. This means that, by relying solely on the savings from electricity bills, the additional investment incurred due to the adoption of Yicai photovoltaics can be recouped in approximately 5.9 years. At the core of building-integrated photovoltaic products lies the mission to revolutionize the conventional single role of traditional building materials. By seamlessly integrating with a building's envelope functions while simultaneously generating clean, renewable energy, these innovative solutions significantly reduce both carbon emissions and overall lifecycle costs for structures. Ultimately, they pave the way for buildings to transform into "energy producers," offering the construction industry a transformative approach that is not only more sustainable but also economically viable.