oq-gem

Glossary for gem taxonomy

Authors: Luke Allen, Andrew Charleson, Svetlana Brzev, and Charles Scawthorn

This online Glossary explains around 400 terms contained in the GEM Building Taxonomy v 2.0 and nearly 700 images.

The terms have been listed in alphabetical and numerical order. Text description of each term is accompanied by illustrations (photos and/or drawings) where possible.

We welcome contributions in the form of photographs or images, illustrating glossary terms. If you have any questions you can also contact us at buildingtaxonomy@globalquakemodel.org


Roofs where photovoltaic solar panels or solar hot water panels cover more of the roof area than any other roof covering material. There are two types of photovoltaic solar panelled roofs: Solar Photovoltaic Roofs and Building Integrated Photovoltaics. Solar photovoltaic roofs either completely displace conventional roof covering, or are installed over the existing conventional roof and attached to it via special mounting. Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) refer to photovoltaics modules which are directly incorporated into a building envelope by replacing conventional roof covering with photovoltaic elements.

RMT10_Serbia_StamenicL_1

Solar photovoltaic roof, Belgrade, Serbia (L. Stamenic)

RMT10_Canada_Stamenic_1RMT10_Canada_Stamenic_2

Solar photovoltaic roof (exterior and interior view), Canada (L. Stamenic)

RMT10_Germany_Stamenic_1

Building Integrated Photovoltaics in a fire hall, Germany (L. Stamenic)

RMT10_USA_Brzev_1

Solar Photovoltaic Roof, California (S. Brzev)

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