Despite the difficult market environment for the solar industry as a whole, the opportunity for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) looks extremely promising, according to a new report from Pike Research, a part of Navigant’s Energy Practice. Until recently, aesthetic and performance concerns limited the ability of architects to use BIPV technology in their building designs, but this is changing as energy-efficient, flexible, and transparent solar materials become available. According to the report, the worldwide market for BIPV and building-applied photovoltaics (BAPV) will quadruple over the next five years, growing from $606 million in 2012 to more than $2.4 billion in 2017. Under a more aggressive forecast scenario, the worldwide BIPV market could reach $3.7 billion in 2017, the study concludes.

“The emerging BIPV market, which straddles the building industry and the solar power industry, offers a new way to develop revenue streams for both parties,” said Kerry-Ann Adamson, research director. “Solar suppliers have begun to partner with building and construction companies, as well as designers and architects, and have gained access to completely new markets. At the same time, building companies have started to recognize new opportunities in green buildings and in retrofitting existing homes and commercial facilities.”