10 BIPV Applications for CdTe Photovoltaic Glass

2026-08-14 18:32:43

Because cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic glass doubles as a building material, it can replace conventional glass, roofing, or cladding almost anywhere a building meets the sun. Below are the ten typical installation scenarios, the series that fits each, and representative project scales drawn from completed installations.

Not sure which series matches your element? Start with the series and selection guide.

1. Tile Roofs

Pitched residential and hospitality roofs use the photovoltaic tile series, which mimics traditional roofing while generating power. Completed installations range from roughly 100 kW to almost 500 kW across roof areas of 850–3,800 m².

2. Building Roofs (Flat / Low-Slope)

Opaque marble series or translucent variants turn roof planes into generators. A notable industrial rooftop BIPV reached about 1.72 MW over 15,100 m² using skylight-style construction.

3. Skylights and Sunrooms

The insulated translucent series is ideal here — it admits daylight, insulates, and generates. Installed skylights span from small 24 kW garden rooms to 126 kW public venues.

4. Building Envelopes

Color-glaze and marble series clad facades and spandrels. Cement-plant envelope projects have reached 726 kW and 1,880 kW, demonstrating scale on heavy-industrial buildings.

5. Curtain Walls

Insulated or colored translucent series form power-generating facades. Office and institutional curtain walls commonly land in the 200–700 kW range, sometimes exceeding 650 kW.

6. Windows and Spandrels

Daylighting curtain-wall and window applications use insulated/colored translucent glass. A data-center window installation delivered about 100 kW across 1,200 m² of aluminum-framed glazing.

7. Railings and Fences

Colored translucent or stone-look fence variants turn balustrades and perimeter fences into generators. Railing installations range around 15–25 kW.

8. Sunshades and Canopies

Color-glaze and marble series shade structures while producing power — used on toll-station canopies, carports, and similar overhead elements.

9. Floor Tiles and Walkways

The stone-look walkway series is walkable photovoltaic paving. Path installations run about 12–30 kW over 144–150 m² of four-edge-supported flooring — a distinctive, low-angle generation surface.

10. Exterior Decoration

Stone-look decorative, color-glaze, and marble series deliver artistic, branded, or texture-rich facades that still generate. Large-format custom imagery (up to ~3200 mm × 8200 mm) is possible.

Bonus: PV-Storage Integrated Systems

Any series can be paired with storage to form a building PV-storage system, shifting generation to when the building actually needs it and supporting zero-energy-building goals.

Why This Matters for Specifiers

The same product family covers roof, wall, window, skylight, railing, and even floor — which simplifies procurement, visual consistency, and maintenance across a project. It also means a single BIPV strategy can address many parts of a building envelope at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can one product really do roofs and floors?

Different series within the family do. Opaque/translucent wall and roof glass handles vertical and overhead planes, while the stone-look walkway variant is engineered for walkable surfaces.

How large can a single installation be?

Completed projects range from a few kilowatts (railings, walkways) to over 1.7 MW on large industrial roofs and nearly 1.9 MW on industrial facades.

Is it suitable for hot climates?

Yes. The low temperature coefficient and good low-light response make it effective in both hot and diffuse-light conditions.

Talk to a Specialist

Application success depends on structure, orientation, local codes, and grid connection. For detailed technical parameters, a scenario-specific design, or a quotation, feel free to consult us via email.