What is it the payback period for a BIPV installation?
What is the payback upon a conventional façade? None. What is the payback upon a polished stone façade or another exclusive material? None, and the initial build cost can be similar to PV. The importance of this is related to perception of the client and his appreciation of the best solution. There are benefits that cannot be quantified but are nevertheless important in an overall scheme. Obviously, a payback period can be calculated for a BIPV installation but it should not be the main factor for selection. The period depends on several factors because the influence of location, hours of sunshine and temperature, the orientation of the PV elements, shading and statutory regulations for PV application in each country vary. In many countries a special feed-in-tariff for PV electricity is established, but also other incentives can be available as fiscal grants, subsidies, etc. Due to these factors, the payback period usually is in wide range and it is difficult to give hard and fast valu
