• Article 1

    Article 1

    The rapid growth of the PV market has provided a wide range of products for mounting PV on buildings.  These include simple structures supporting PV modules on flat roofs, PV tiles and shingles, complex curtain wall systems and architectural features such as skylights and window shades.

    Written in 2003 for Environmental Design and Construction, "Architecturally Integrated Photovoltaics" written by Kelly Jon Andereck and Steve Coonen is a great source for the design team who struggle to both incorporate their vision of photovoltaic curtain walls, market segment & trending, and the processes of how Atlantis Energy Systems works with glazers and system vendors in the curtain wall development process.

  • Article 2

    Article 2

    The design team lead by the owners determined from the beginning of the project to incorporate renewable energy systems as a key strategy for reducing the carbon footprint or the house.  They focused in particular on including a photovoltaic system in order to demonstrate the feasibility of a PV system in the upper Midwest.  The integrated PV roofing tiles (Sunslates) selected are both highly efficient and visually unobtrusive.

    "House on Lakeside Court Delivers Sustainability, Energy Efficiency" is one of our Residential Showcase Fact Sheets that provides some cost/benefit numbers along with a few installation guidelines.

  • Article 3

    Article 3

    "One of the big drivers for people who put PV on their houses is they know that their utility bill is going to be, at least for whatever percentage of it they're going to satisfy with what's on the roof," says Collins,  "They're much more immune to volatility in electric rates that the guy next door".

    Published in December, 2007 in Fine Home Building by Taunton Press, "The New Age of Photovoltaics" by Scott Gibson illustrates best, the current issues facing the homeowner and builder when determining whether or not to use PV.  In addition, it's reporting on the emerging markets of leasing and power purchasing will be helpful in proving more value to your  decision.

  • Article 4

    Article 4

    A number of Federal incentives are also available.  For instance, the "Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System", US Code Citation: 26 USC, Sec. 168 of the Internal Revenue Code, allows a client to reduce the capital investment of PV from around 20 to 25 years to 6 years or less based on a five-year depreciation schedule.

    "The Integrated PV Learning Curve" written by Kelly Jon Andereck in 2001 for Environmental Design and Construction is yet another article that can help the design team or business owner assess the cost/benefit of using photovoltaics on a structure.  The dated but still poignant article is also a good source for the architectural firm coming to terms with the architect-client educational processes and bringing up the building teams learning curve.