Foundation Begins Photovoltaic Research Project

Nov 27 - Buildings

The Bethesda, MD-based Electrical Contracting Foundation is funding a study of the emerging photovoltaic (PV) market. The research project, led by University of Kansas Professor Thomas E. Glavinich, will estimate the size of the PV market and define best practices for installing PV systems.

PV systems convert sunlight into electrical energy, and have been used for years to supply small electrical loads in locations where it's not practical to connect to the utility grid. However, a new generation of photosensitive roofing and glazing materials promises to transform and expand the use of PV by turning whole buildings into electrical generators - reducing peak demand on electric utility grids, and feeding power back into those grids.

"People have been talking about applying photovoltaics in residential and commercial buildings for years, but the technology wasn't considered economically viable," explains Glavinich. "Today's advantages in photovoltaic technology and manufacturing techniques, as well as integrating PV into building materials, are reducing the initial installed cost ... Higher photovoltaic system efficacy and rising fossil fuel prices are making the cost of PV-generated energy competitive with traditional power sources. Environmental issues, the movement toward green architecture, and concerns about energy security are also giving PV a boost. Federal and state governments, along with utilities, are offering building owners financial incentives to reduce their demand and energy use."

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Bethesda, MD, plans to draw on the results of the foundation research to develop a National Electrical Installation Standard (NEIS) on photovoltaic systems.

Copyright Stamats Communications, Inc. Nov 2004