Solar That’s Built In, Not Bolted On – A Chat With Golden Solar BIPV
By Kristy Hoare on in New Solar Technology
I’ll admit it… I think solar panels look great (though I’m probably a little biased). But I know not everyone shares that view. For many, the image of chunky panels bolted onto rooftops is still a major aesthetic turn-off.
That’s why my recent chat with Shawn, Managing Director of Golden Solar BIPV, was such an eye-opener. The future of solar might not just be smarter, it might actually look good too.
We were talking about Building-Integrated Photovoltaics, or BIPV - a concept that takes conventional solar to the next level.
Instead of adding panels after the fact, BIPV integrates solar tech directly into the building itself. Think roof tiles, facades, windows, and carports… all designed to look good and generate power. These are the kinds of products Golden Solar is bringing to the New Zealand market.
Before diving deeper into the tech, I asked Shawn how Golden Solar BIPV came to be and his story added some real depth to the conversation.
“The company was founded with a clear goal,” he said, “to turn buildings from passive energy consumers into active producers. We’re aiming for a decentralised energy future - one building at a time.”
His motivation came from seeing two big shifts: the construction industry’s push to decarbonise, and a rising demand for solar that fits seamlessly into good architecture.
Shawn’s personal journey into solar was equally interesting. His father spent four decades in China’s state-owned petroleum industry and had hoped he’d follow in his footsteps.
But after seeing Tesla’s solar roof tiles nine years ago, Shawn was captivated. “That moment changed everything,” he told me. “From then on, I focused on learning all I could about BIPV.”
Home with solar panels on the roof and a solar canopy carport in the driveway
After COVID-19, he took the leap and launched Golden Solar BIPV in early 2023. With tech finally catching up and costs dropping, he sees this as the perfect moment to make BIPV both practical and mainstream.
BIPV isn’t brand new. In fact, it was already making waves when I first started in solar over 15 years ago. But despite the early buzz, I haven’t seen much of it in action here in NZ.
Back then, I remember pricing glass-on-glass panels to be integrated into a client’s veranda. It was three times the cost of standard panels. Needless to say, the client didn’t go ahead.
But that was a long time ago, and in solar, a lot can change in a decade and a half.
“BIPV is a category of green building material,” Shawn explained. “It integrates solar technology into the building’s fabric, so it’s part of the design from the start. It serves two purposes: it’s your roof, or your cladding, and it’s also generating clean power.”
Solar That Doesn’t Stick Out
I come from a marketing and design background, for me things need to look good to appeal to people. So I was keen to ask Shawn how BIPV steps up the visual appeal.
“That’s one of the key advantages,” Shawn said. “Because it’s integrated, it achieves a much more seamless and elegant look. It transforms solar from something you slap on after the fact into something that’s actually part of the design.”
Smarter Buildings, Not Just Prettier
I found it really interesting that BIPV isn’t just about making solar look nicer. It solves some practical problems too. Because it’s baked into the design stage, it can address structural issues like wind loading and waterproofing, and it makes much better use of space, especially on tricky urban builds.
“It’s not just solar - it’s your building envelope,” Shawn explained. “It gives you fire resistance, durability, weatherproofing… while also generating energy. It’s a smarter, more resilient way to build.”
So, Can You Retrofit It?
Wanting to know more about the market BIPV appeals to, I asked whether BIPV is only for new builds, or if homeowners doing renovations could get in on it too. Shawn said new builds definitely make the most sense from a cost and construction point of view, because BIPV can replace materials like roofing and cladding. But it’s not off the table for retrofits either.
“If you're already doing a major renovation or replacing a roof, that’s a great opportunity to look at BIPV. It just needs a bit more planning to align with the existing structure and consents.”
What About Solar Roof Tiles?
I wanted to know where things stand with solar roof tiles in New Zealand. Are they actually available here yet? Tesla’s tiles get a lot of buzz, but they’ve been around for years without ever making it to our shores - and at this point, I’m not convinced they ever will.
“We do supply solar tiles,” he said, “but because they’re considered building materials here, we need BRANZ approval. We’re aiming to work with the University of Canterbury and some local partners to develop a fully certified BIPV roofing product - something designed for Kiwi conditions, with Kiwi IP.”
The Rise of the Solar Carport
At this point in the chat, I couldn’t resist steering the conversation toward solar carports… I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for them - I think they look super cool.
Years ago, I pushed the council for a solar carport above an EV station at the Tauranga waterfront. What we got instead was solar panels plonked on top of a transformer building and an EV charger parked five metres away. Close... but not quite. Despite the flop, my enthusiasm hasn’t gone away. I’m still holding out hope. So I asked Shawn, please tell me we’re finally going to see more of them.
“They’re definitely gaining traction,” he said. “Councils, logistics companies, commercial landlords - they’re seeing the benefits. The costs have come down a lot thanks to improvements in materials and inverter tech, though the structural part is still a big cost factor.”
So I asked: are they practical for homes too?
“Absolutely,” Shawn said. “They’re great for residential sites. You get shelter, energy generation, and a tidy-looking addition to your property. Consent requirements vary a bit depending on the region, but it’s generally no more complicated than a standard carport.”
The future suddenly seems a little bit brighter.
The Famous Solar Sunflower
The Solar Sunflower is finally here... I’ve only been waiting a decade for it...! I wrote an article about it way back when, and ever since, people have been messaging me asking, “When is it coming to New Zealand?” Most of the interest is because it just looks so damn cool. It’s a sculptural, sun-tracking solar system that turns heads wherever it goes.
Golden Solar brought in New Zealand’s first Solar Sunflower just last year. It now lives at the University of Canterbury’s Ilam campus, giving students hands-on experience with next-gen renewable tech. So why the long wait? Classic solar story - the tech kept getting cheaper until it finally hit a tipping point that made it viable.
So I asked Shawn: is the Solar Sunflower just for show, or could someone actually put one in their backyard?
“It’s technically possible,” Shawn told me, “but there are a few hoops to jump through: space, council consent, cost. It’s best suited for public or commercial spaces where it makes a visual statement. But hey, if a homeowner has the space and loves the look, we’re happy to make it work.”
The Bigger Picture: Fifth-Gen Buildings
Towards the end of our chat, Shawn got really fired up about where BIPV is headed. He talked about the idea of “fifth-generation buildings” — structures that don’t just consume energy, but generate it, manage it, and adapt to their surroundings.
“These buildings will combine BIPV, smart energy systems, and AI-driven automation,” he said. “It’s about creating self-sustaining, intelligent environments that reduce emissions and improve comfort. In that future, BIPV isn’t optional, it’s essential.”
What’s Next for BIPV?
Golden Solar is already thinking beyond roofs and carports. Shawn mentioned some exciting innovations in the pipeline - including photovoltaic facades and even solar paving tiles.
“But to make it all happen,” he said, “we need architects, engineers, electricians - it’s not a one-company job. It’s a collaborative space, and that’s part of what makes it exciting.”
For Homeowners and Businesses, Where do you Start?
If you’re a homeowner curious about BIPV but unsure where to start, as Shawn's company is a distributor in New Zealand you can talk to any solar installation company to start looking at options. Click here to be quickly connected with 3 qualified solar installation companies.