Current prospects of building-integrated solar PV systems and the application of bifacial PVs

Abstract

Building-integrated solar photovoltaic (BIPV) systems have gained attention in current years as a way to recover the building’s thermal comfort and generate sustainable energy in building structures. BIPV systems can provide shade against sunshine while generating ancillary electrical power. Over the last decades, engineers have been trying to improve the efficiency of BIPV systems. BIPV systems with various installation types, including rooftop, balcony, curtain, sunshade, and wall façade types, are being constantly researched and intensively presented for improving power efficiency and reducing air-conditioning use. This work provides an overview of solar BIPV systems and focuses particularly on existing applications of the bifacial type of BIPV systems. The motivation and an overview of BIPV systems are first introduced, followed by the study methodology considered and the contributions. This work discusses PV technologies of bifacial PVs (monocrystalline and polycrystalline bifacial modules), BIPV installation [curtains, rooftop, flat rooftop, transparent faced, balcony windows (transparent), wall opaque facade, flat roof-faced, and skylight sunshade types], simulation and optimization software (simulation software and future trends), zero-energy BIPV technology, and optimization techniques of BIPV systems. Last, suggestion amendments to the current BIPV design that possibly contribute to growing the system’s effectiveness, reliability, and cost as future design theories for the whole system are presented.

Application of Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Technologies in Buildings: A Mini-Review

“…Only when models of emerging technologies are credible and accurate will they gain traction with stakeholders [11]. The use of simulation in academic research has increased, driven by recent technological advances [47]. Table 1 presents a brief comparison of the previously conducted studies on the numerical values of thermal efficiency in simulation tests.…”

“…The utilization of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs), which are solar powergenerating systems incorporated into buildings, has become increasingly popular as a novel approach to promoting renewable energy in residential areas [47]. It is obvious that the drawback of PV system is intermittent operation, depending on the weather condition.…”

“…The rapid development of BIPV systems has been driven primarily by improvements in three key areas: solar cell and module efficiencies, reductions in manufacturing costs, and the realization of competitive levelized electricity costs [74]. The current outlook for building-integrated solar PV systems has been studied, and it has been found that BIPV systems have gained attention in recent years as a way to restore the thermal comfort of the building and generate energy [47]. Studies on the technology frontiers of BIPV revealed an evolutional path and defined three key frontiers of BIPV: (1) light, convenient, low-cost and esthetically pleasing support systems of installed PV modules; (2) improved BIPV components; (3) PV intelligent control systems using Social Network Analysis (SNA) and text clustering [12].…”

“…building-integrated solar PV systems has been studied, and it has been found systems have gained attention in recent years as a way to restore the thermal the building and generate energy [47]. Studies on the technology frontiers o vealed an evolutional path and defined three key frontiers of BIPV: (1) light, c low-cost and esthetically pleasing support systems of installed PV modules; (2 BIPV components; (3) PV intelligent control systems using Social Network Ana and text clustering [12].…”

Building-Integrated Concentrating Photovoltaics based on a low-toxicity photopolymer

“…Today, concentrating PV technology is increasingly recognized as the most promising technology to meet the world's energy challenges. Nowadays, an increasing number of buildings are incorporating solar panels on their facades by integrating solar concentrators into parts of buildings, such as windows, roofs, or walls [1]. However, solar PV power plants prevent the use of agricultural land and may affect crucial ecosystems [2].…”