Research in Photovoltaic Technology for Buildings

ABSTRACT The federal sector continues to be a leader in the implementation and demonstration of photovoltaic (PV) technology. Installing PV systems helps meet the goals of Executive Order (EO) 13123, which encourages each federal agency to “expand the use of renewable energy within its facilities and in its activities by implementing renewable energy projects and by purchasing electricity from renewable energy sources.” PV systems, like those presented in this article, help meet the goal of the Million Solar Roofs Initiative for the federal government to install 20,000 solar energy systems at federal facilities by 2010. Installing PV systems can also help reach the government's renewable energy goal—to have the equivalent of 2.5% of federal facilities' electricity consumption supplied from new renewable energy sources by 2005. Although most cost-effective PV installations in the past have been for remote, off -grid power applications, current installations include a variety of high-value grid-connected ap...