Photovoltaics in the Built Environment – An Overview of Timely Topics for Research and Development

This abstract presents an overview of timely topics for research and development of photovoltaics in the built environment which is based on 25 papers in a Special Issue of the scientific journal Energy and Buildings which has been published at the beginning of 2025. This review shows that photovoltaics in the built environment covers a broad range of new types of PV systems, PV modules and PV technologies, as well as new assessment methods for the prediction of among others energy performance, costs and sustainability of solar technologies in buildings and cities. Moreover it indicates the innovation potential of photovoltaics for a well-integrated, sustainable, solar powered built environment in the near future.