The combination of photovoltaic (PV) technology and wind power plays a central role in the future global energy supply. Direct conversion of solar energy into electricity offers advantages such as high efficiency, ease of application, scalability, zero emissions, and durability.
PV power plants are renowned for their extremely low generation costs; when the cost savings from avoided CO2 emissions are factored in, they are competitive with fossil-fuel power plants. While PV systems installed on residential and industrial rooftops entail slightly higher generation costs, they require minimal land and enable the on-site utilization of solar energy.
In contrast, the development of building-integrated PV systems for facades has lagged behind. However, facade-based PV systems are highly valuable because facades offer significantly more installation space than roofs, particularly in urban centers.