Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is increasingly gaining market share in the solar market as it brings PV into cities, where energy demand is high. Colored solar cells in particular have advanced significantly in recent years and are being implemented wherever aesthetics are a priority. In this interview, Andrea Birnbach, Project Manager at Ceramic Colors Wolbring GmbH, one of the market leaders in colored solar cells, explains why BIPV is becoming more important and what barriers remain in Europe.
The BIPV market is moving in a very positive direction for us. We have already received numerous inquiries this year for projects in the planning stage and have successfully completed several larger projects. Demand in Switzerland is especially high, partly because of the solar-friendly regulations that were introduced at the beginning of 2026. At the same time, interest is increasing across the world – with growing demand in Europe, North America, the Middle East and India. Not least thanks to our efficient colors, colored modules for facades and roofs are now attracting growing interest. They open up new market segments, especially in the area of landmarked buildings. Many authorities have started to accept colored solutions, which opens up additional potential applications.
As the manufacturer of the ceramic ColorQuantTM paste, we supply glass manufacturers who, in turn, supply module manufacturers with colored front and back glass sheets. Our most important partners are currently in the German-speaking regions, the Netherlands and Denmark. They supply PV module manufacturers in Europe, the USA and the Middle East.
We also work with glass manufacturers across Europe, Turkey and Asia. Along with the strong development in German-speaking regions, new markets such as Poland and the Baltic states are gaining importance. There is also growing interest from the USA and Korea.
I think the acceptance of BIPV is noticeably increasing. Architects and property owners are increasingly recognizing the potential of aesthetic building envelopes that can also generate electricity. I think our concept of fully customized colors aligns very well with current trends. Customers want their building projects to stand out and to create something special. A key obstacle at the moment is the complex planning and regulatory requirements for facades. Additionally, glass is a major cost factor – especially in Europe – and its energy-intensive production leads to much higher prices than in Asia. Improving prices and availability is crucial for the growth of BIPV markets worldwide.
After six years in the market, we are seeing very dynamic developments – the number of new customers is continuously growing, many without any prior experience with BIPV. On the other hand, there are already some module manufacturers offering colored PV modules in standard sizes and colors. However, I believe the European market will remain highly individual, with a preference for customized solutions. With our enormous range of colors and flexibility in terms of type of glass, shape and size, we are well positioned.
The costs and availability of important materials, especially glass, play a key role. Energy-intensive production is currently driving up prices in Europe. Broad market penetration will only be possible once costs come down and supply chains stabilize. China and the rest of Asia benefit from significantly cheaper energy costs. Another key issue is the regulatory framework. The regulations for facade-integrated photovoltaics are much more complex than for traditional rooftop installations. Simplified approval processes and clear standards could drastically speed up implementation.
In the future, BIPV will be a common sight in urban spaces, at least when it comes to large-scale projects in urban centers or industrial projects. Rising energy demand in cities can no longer be met by rooftops alone, so facades are increasingly coming into focus. Especially in the winter months, facade installations offer stable yields, strengthening their contribution to the energy supply. An important topic that our customers are already addressing is the renovation of residential high-rise buildings and office buildings. Many projects struggle to combine energy efficiency, regulatory requirements and architectural design – and this is exactly where BIPV offers strong potential. As volumes increase, costs are likely to continue to fall, which will make BIPV more attractive for a wider range of applications, perhaps even in the private sector.
We are also expecting strong growth in functional buildings such as multi-story parking garages, carports, warehouses and public buildings. They are perfect for BIPV because they have large empty surfaces, and integration is becoming increasingly profitable. An important driver behind this is the advancement of color technologies, as they make it possible to equip landmarked buildings or architecturally ambitious projects with photovoltaics without compromising on aesthetics.
At this year’s Intersolar, we will showcase the flexibility of ColorQuantTM and how it is used by five different module manufacturers, each working with different clients and concepts. The goal is to present the possibilities of colorful photovoltaics to a broad expert audience of module manufacturers, planners and architects, and to show how this technology can already be implemented efficiently and in a market-oriented way.