A Study on Thermal Behaviors of the Steel Plate Integrated Photovoltaic Module according to Rear Ventilation Conditions

Abstract

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems are gaining global popularity as a means to reduce carbon emissions. The optimal implementation of BIPV requires consideration of various physical factors. One such factor is the temperature rise of the photovoltaic module, which can have detrimental effects, such as decreased power generation and thermal damage. The temperature rise is influenced not only by weather conditions, but also by the finishing characteristics of the building envelope, including the surrounding finishing conditions and bonding materials. In this study, the thermal conditions of BIPV systems were assessed by analyzing the rear air and back surface temperatures under different rear natural ventilation conditions. Experiments were conducted using steel-plate-integrated solar modules and steel plates, and back surface and air temperature data were collected from these simulated systems. The experimental conditions were categorized based on whether the ventilation control vents located at the upper and lower ends of the system were open or closed. The experimental results showed that the average back-surface temperature of the solar module was approximately 11°C higher during high solar irradiance conditions (800 W/m 2 ) in summer, when both the upper and lower ventilation control vents were shut off, compared to the conditions in which both vents were open. These findings confirm the need for back-ventilation adjustments when implementing BIPV systems.Keywords: 신•재생 에너지(New and renewable energy), 건물일체형 태양광 시스템(Building integrated photovoltaic), 강판 일체형 태양광 모듈(Steel plate integrated photovoltaic module), 후면 조건(Rear air channel condition)한국태양에너지학회 논문집