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Green maintainability assessment of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) applications: lessons learnt

Sheila Conejos (School of Science and Technology, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore, Singapore)
Michael Y.L. Chew (Department of the Built Environment, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore)
Karlyn Tay (Project Management, Turner and Townsend, Singapore, Singapore)
Stephen Tay (Department of the Built Environment, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore)
Sufiana Safiena (Department of the Built Environment, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore)

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation

ISSN: 2398-4708

Article publication date: 13 July 2021

Issue publication date: 14 April 2023

429

Abstract

Purpose

The maintenance of green building technologies such as building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) is a challenge due to the non-existence of maintainability considerations during the design stage. This led to building defects which accounts to high expenditures throughout the building's lifecycle. The use of BIPV in buildings is an emergent trend, and further research is requisite for their maintainability. This paper assesses the performance and maintainability of BIPV façade applications based on the green maintainability design considerations.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative method is undertaken in this study, which includes field surveys, instrumental case studies and stakeholder interviews to probe the issues linked with the BIPV's maintainability.

Findings

Findings have shown some technical defects discovered in BIPV applications in tropical areas, as well as issues on cost, aesthetics and implementation are the main causes for the low adoption of BIPV in Singapore.

Originality/value

Understanding the research outcomes will embolden designers and allied professionals to team up in ensuring the long-term maintainability and sustainability of green building technologies. This research gives recent and important information in the design, installation and maintainability of BIPV, as well as good practices that would add value to facilities management and to the design of green building technologies.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of Miss Kwek An Ni for assisting in the literature review regarding research studies pertaining to the applications of BIPV.

Citation

Conejos, S., Chew, M.Y.L., Tay, K., Tay, S. and Safiena, S. (2023), "Green maintainability assessment of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) applications: lessons learnt", International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, Vol. 41 No. 2, pp. 320-346. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBPA-04-2019-0038

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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