This paper applies energy analysis and economic analysis in order to assess
the application of solar photovoltaics (PVs) in buildings. Comparison is m
ade both to electricity supply from centralised PV plants and to convention
al electricity sources. The comparison with conventional sources reveals th
at there is currently a significant trade-off between the environmental and
economic implications of PVs: there are substantial resource benefits to b
e gained from using PVs to supply electricity, but the economic cost of doi
ng so is significantly higher than conventional sources. This trade-off is
reduced when the benefits of building integrated PVs (BiPVs) are considered
. By comparison with centralised PV plants, BiPV systems offer the "double
dividend" of reduced economic costs and improved environmental performance.
This double dividend is increased if the economic and energy costs of avoi
ded cladding materials are taken into account. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Lt
d. All rights reserved.