Buildings integrated with solar technology can help India reduce construction emissions |
By 2060, the total floor area of buildings worldwide is expected to double. Most of the expansion will take place in emerging economies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where population growth and urbanisation are fastest.
Every architectural and infrastructure decision made in constructing those buildings will “lock in” vulnerability or resilience to climate risks for decades. For developing countries – where land is scarce and cities are expanding rapidly – the stakes are especially high, as demand for energy, shelter and infrastructure surges.
Building Integrated Photovoltaics offers a strategic solution that would integrate energy efficiency and climate resilience into the buildings themselves. Unlike conventional solar photovoltaic panels, typically added to roofs or land, Building Integrated Photovoltaics incorporates solar cells directly into the building envelope, including roofs, facades, and even windows. This means energy generation becomes part of the building’s structure, not just an add-on. Where traditional PV panels are appliances placed on buildings, Building Integrated Photovoltaics weaves solar tech into architecture itself, making it both essential and unobtrusive.
India is a prime example of why this shift matters. The country’s construction sector accounted for about 17% of national greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, combining emissions from energy use in buildings and the embodied energy in production and transport of materials.
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