BIPV is quietly transforming our lives…

BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) technology deeply integrates photovoltaic power generation functionality with building materials, enabling structures to transform from "energy consumers" into "energy producers." This technology is Public welfare projects such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and affordable housing The application in China is highly significant—it not only benefits public institutions Reduce operational costs , which itself is still A vivid teaching resource for green and low-carbon concepts 。

Image source: Mingyang Thin Film Technology

The policy tailwind is strong, presenting a golden opportunity for BIPV to thrive.

• At the national level, a series of policy documents have been introduced, providing clear guidance for the development of BIPV. For example:

The "Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction Action Plan for 2024-2025" and the "Work Plan for Accelerating Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction in the Building Sector," issued by the State Council and relevant departments, both emphasize that… By the end of 2025, newly constructed urban buildings will fully adopt green building standards, and efforts will be made to achieve a 50% rooftop photovoltaic coverage rate for new public institutional buildings and industrial plant roofs. Meanwhile, the National Energy Administration and other departments have introduced policies to ensure reliable power consumption for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems. This signifies that BIPV has become not just an "essential choice" but an "urgent necessity" for energy efficiency and carbon reduction in the construction sector.

 

• Local Supporting Measures and Positive Practices : Many local governments have also responded enthusiastically, introducing more specific incentive policies. For example:

• Shenzhen City The Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau organized the 2025 Annual Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems and "Light Storage Direct Flexibility" Application for architectural pilot projects, followed by selection and promotion of eligible projects.
• Beijing Municipality, Shanghai Municipality Various regions have also introduced relevant policies to encourage the development of building-integrated photovoltaics.
• Xi'an City The "Implementation Plan for Enhancing Capabilities in the Photovoltaic Industry Chain (2025–2027)" provides incentives for eligible photovoltaic projects.
• Changzhou City The BIPV application demonstration project for the First Community Service Complex (Comprehensive Elderly Care Facility) in Qingtan Xincun, Yonghong Subdistrict, Zhonglou District, has successfully passed expert review.

 

These policies not only provide Fiscal subsidies, project incentives , and also through Simplify the approval process and mandate coverage requirements. (For example, through approaches like "install wherever possible"), these measures have removed obstacles and provided robust institutional support for the application of BIPV in public welfare projects.

The Green Revolution on Campus: Insights from Two Benchmark Projects

Shenzhen High-Tech Primary School: A Near-Zero Energy Campus Powered by "Five-Face Photovoltaics"

• All-round photovoltaic integration (five-sided PV): Photovoltaic modules are not only installed on the rooftop but also innovatively applied to the four facades—east, west, south, and north—as well as the railings, maximizing the use of building surfaces to capture solar energy. This creates a hybrid energy matrix featuring "high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon power generation combined with cadmium telluride for supplemental performance in low-light conditions."

• "Light-Storage-Direct-Flexible" System : The project is configured A 300 kWh lithium iron phosphate energy storage system , and a low-voltage DC distribution system has been established, equipped with DC air conditioners, DC outlets, DC lighting, and other electrical devices, enabling flexible power usage in the building, intelligent energy management, and enhanced efficiency.

• Comprehensive Benefits : The project achieves a comprehensive energy-saving rate as high as 84.32% , the application of BIPV technology not only provides clean electricity for the campus but has also become a prominent feature in itself. The Green "Ecological Classroom" , subtly and imperceptibly conveying the concept of sustainable development to students.

 

Image source: Mingyang Thin Film Technology

Chengdu Wanhui School: The "Silent" Guardianship of Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaic Tiles

• The advantages of cadmium telluride thin-film modules : Cadmium telluride material possesses Good low-light power generation performance, with a low temperature coefficient. (Characterized by minimal performance degradation under high-temperature conditions), it ensures reliable performance even on cloudy, rainy days and during scorching summers. Stability Its power output is particularly well-suited to the local climate.
• The perfect fusion of architectural aesthetics : The photovoltaic tiles maintain the same color and texture as the original roof surface, Without compromising the building's original character and aesthetic appeal , achieving a "low-key" green transformation.
• Economic Benefits and Functional Substitution : While generating electricity, the photovoltaic tiles also replace traditional roofing materials, providing protection from wind and rain—and eliminating the recurring costs associated with repairing and maintaining aging conventional waterproofing systems.

Image source: Mingyang Thin Film Technology

Insights from BIPV Project Implementation

1. Choose a technology roadmap tailored to local conditions. Different regions and building types have varying demands for BIPV. Shenzhen High-Tech Primary School, aiming for maximum energy production and near-zero energy consumption, adopted advanced composite technologies along with a "photovoltaic-storage-direct-flexible" system. Meanwhile, Chengdu Wanhui School placed greater emphasis on harmonizing with the existing architecture and ensuring stable performance even in low-light conditions, opting instead for cadmium telluride photovoltaic tiles. There’s no one-size-fits-all "best" solution—what matters most is aligning with the specific needs. 。
2. Economic considerations are becoming increasingly sophisticated. As the cost of photovoltaic modules declines and policy support strengthens, BIPV is The incremental payback period is shortening. Its economic and environmental benefits throughout the entire lifecycle are becoming increasingly significant.
3. The comprehensive value of the people's livelihood project extends far beyond power generation itself. For public welfare projects such as schools and hospitals, the value of BIPV lies not only in generating electricity to save money, but even more so in its… Educational demonstrations to promote and enhance community environmental awareness Social benefits in various aspects.

 

BIPV makes public welfare projects greener and smarter.

Besides schools, BIPV technology is making an impact in more areas that directly benefit people's daily lives:

Application Areas	Core Values and Characteristics
School building	Reduce electricity costs and enrich the educational and scientific content with an integrated design featuring photovoltaic rooftops, photovoltaic sunshades, and photovoltaic railings, among other innovations.
Medical and healthcare institutions	Ensure partial emergency power supply, reduce long-term operating costs—such as photovoltaic carports (with charging stations) and photovoltaic rooftops.
Elderly care service organizations	Green concepts combined with age-friendly design help reduce operational costs and create a comfortable environment, featuring photovoltaic skylights, photovoltaic courtyard systems, and more.
Affordable Housing	Reduce residents' electricity bills and enhance the green living experience with photovoltaic rooftops, photovoltaic facades, and more.
Rural Courtyards/Farmhouses	Increase farmers' incomes, improve the appearance of villages, and achieve rural revitalization through the "Photovoltaic + Courtyard" model.
Urban Renewal Project	For energy-efficient renovations of existing buildings, enhancing the city's aesthetic appeal, and achieving three-dimensional value-added utilization of land.

BIPV technology is transforming our buildings—especially public infrastructure projects that directly impact people's well-being—from traditional energy consumers into green energy producers, and even into "living textbooks" that help spread the principles of ecological civilization.