PV-cladding as an energy resource for the UK

Photovoltaic cladding of building roofs and facades is receiving considerable attention in many European countries, due to the potential for significant contributions to the electricity supply, even in densely populated countries with little spare land area. The cladding of facades is particularly attractive for high latitude countries, such as the UK, due to the low sun angles during much of the year. This paper will discuss the methodology and results of a study to assess the potential electricity resource from the PV-cladding of buildings in the UK. It will also describe briefly the first UK demonstration project on PV-cladding, which is presently in the detailed design phase and scheduled to be operational in the autumn of 1994.