Developing a Methodology Towards Designing Aesthetical BIPV Modules

As building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) adoption increases, demand for new aesthetic designs that differ from conventional modules increases. Hence, this paper aims to incorporate Marble and Wood textures via digital ceramic printing on PV modules. The features in Marble and Wood (e.g. line density and wood panelling) were tuned via an imaging software before the modules were fabricated and characterized. Results indicate that the drop in I
sc
, V
oc
, and P
mpp
against the conventional PV module was less in the Marble than in the Wood texture. The findings of this study could untap potential in designing novel aesthetical patterns for BIPV.