Challenges for Wireless Power Transfer in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics

Building-integrated photovoltaics is steadily entering the market. It allows for solar cells to be an integrated part of the building itself, contrary to installing the photovoltaic modules onto the finished building.... [ view full abstract ]

Building-integrated photovoltaics is steadily entering the market. It allows for solar cells to be an integrated part of the building itself, contrary to installing the photovoltaic modules onto the finished building. Unfortunately, several challenges such as the creation of thermal bridges and moisture intrusion hinder the rapid development of building-integrated photovoltaics into a mainstream mass product. Wireless power transfer systems could solve some of these challenges and contribute to an accelerated use of building-integrated photovoltaic solar cells. In this work, the advantages of wireless power transfer to building-integrated photovoltaics are presented. The different issues and technological challenges are highlighted, and possible solutions are proposed.