BIPV Consumers Need Better Tariff Support: CSTEP-GIZ Report

BIPV Consumers Need Better Tariff Support: CSTEP-GIZ Report

The latest draft report prepared by two think tanks batted for preferential tariffs for the consumers of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). Centre for Study of Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has prepared this document.

This document has been prepared as a draft guideline for BIPV in India. The paper aims to boost the growth of BIPV in India. BIPV refers to the integration of solar panels in building design. This is often done by using solar panels as vertical walls, roofs, or windows. Some of the existing examples of BIPV are the CtrlS data center building and Akshay Urja Bhavan. These buildings have used solar panels as vertical walls on a large section of their building.

The draft norms said that as these projects require higher capital expenditure and generate comparatively lesser solar power due to location barriers, they need an extra push. The researchers batted for higher tariffs for BIPV compared to conventional solar projects including rooftop solar projects.

Capital intensive sector

“BIPV systems are typically more capital-intensive compared to RTS systems. Moreover, the generation from BIPV panels is significantly lesser compared to RTS because of atypical orientations, tilt angles, and aesthetics-oriented technologies. Hence, compensating the BIPV consumer at the same net or gross metering tariffs that are prevalent for RTS systems weakens the financial viability of the BIPV system. Higher tariffs need to be explored for BIPV installations to encourage adoption,” the document said.

The report also batted for the need for higher subsidy to spur the growth of rooftop solar in the country. The researchers meanwhile also raked up the issue of regulations related to BIPV. It said that several regulations like the National Building Code of India, the National Electrical Code, the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) and others also support the adoption of BIPV. The paper however lamented that the growth of BIPV has been minimal till now.

Lack of guidelines 

The researchers said that one of the key factors behind the slow growth of BIPV was the lack of uniform guidelines for the sector. The team said that the draft guidelines will act to bring more uniformity in the sector and try to fill the void.

“The adoption of BIPV in India has been limited. One of the major reasons for this is the lack of comprehensive guidelines and standardized practices. To facilitate the widespread adoption of BIPV systems across India, it is imperative to develop comprehensive guidelines that provide clear and standardized recommendations for their design, installation, and operations. These guidelines will be crucial for ensuring that BIPV systems are designed, installed, and operated in the Indian context in a manner that maximizes their benefits while adhering to safety and regulatory standards,” the draft guidelines said.