Energy saving potential of semi-transparent photovoltaic elements for building integration

Abstract

Within the building energy saving strategies, BIPV (building integrated photovoltaic systems) present a promising potential based on the close relationship existing between these multifunctional systems and the overall building energy balance. Building integration of STPV (semi-transparent photovoltaic) elements affects deeply the building energy demand since it influences the heating, cooling and lighting loads as well as the local electricity generation. This work analyses over different window-to-wall ratios the overall energy performance of five STPV elements, each element having a specific degree of transparency, in order to assess the energy saving potential compared to a conventional solar control glass compliant with the local technical standard. The prior optical characterization, focused to measure the spectral properties of the elements, was experimentally undertaken. The obtained data were used to perform simulations based on a reference office building using a package of specific software tools (DesignBuilder, EnergyPlus, PVsyst, and COMFEN) to take proper account of the STPV peculiarities. To evaluate the global energy performance of the STPV elements a new Energy Balance Index was formulated. The results show that for intermediate and large facade openings the energy saving potential provided by the STPV solutions ranges between 18% and 59% compared to the reference glass.

Advanced Strategies for Net-Zero Energy Building: Focused on the Early Phase and Usage Phase of a Building’s Life Cycle

“…As a result of applying the developed methodology to the Gangnam district in Seoul, South Korea, the physical, geographic (i.e., the available rooftop area), and technical potentials of Gangnam district were 9,178,982 MWh, 4,964,118 m 2 , and 1,130,371 MWh [82]. Second, there have been various studies on the BIPV [83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95]. Olivieri et al (2014) evaluated the technical performance of the window-integrated semi-transparent PV system and general glazing via a package of specific software program (i.e., DesignBuilder, EnergyPlus, PVsyst, and COMFEM).…”

“…Second, there have been various studies on the BIPV [83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95]. Olivieri et al (2014) evaluated the technical performance of the window-integrated semi-transparent PV system and general glazing via a package of specific software program (i.e., DesignBuilder, EnergyPlus, PVsyst, and COMFEM). It was confirmed that the window-integrated semi-transparent PV system showed 18-59% energy savings according to the façade opening compared with the reference glass [90].…”

“…Olivieri et al (2014) evaluated the technical performance of the window-integrated semi-transparent PV system and general glazing via a package of specific software program (i.e., DesignBuilder, EnergyPlus, PVsyst, and COMFEM). It was confirmed that the window-integrated semi-transparent PV system showed 18-59% energy savings according to the façade opening compared with the reference glass [90]. Oh et al (2017) developed a nine-node-based finite element model for estimating the techno-economic performance of building-integrated PV blind system (BIPB) through Microsoft-Excel based VBA.…”

Thermal and Electrical Characterization of a Semi-Transparent Dye-Sensitized Photovoltaic Module under Real Operating Conditions

“…They built an experimental set-up to thermally, optically and electrically characterize different kinds of amorphous silicon semi-transparent glasses [14]. They used the experimental data obtained as input of a dynamic building simulation model to evaluate the energy saving potential of STPV elements with different gradation of transparency in Madrid, comparing the results with the energy performance of a standard glazing system [15]. Liao et al [16] evaluated the energy performance of STPV using amorphous silicon with different characteristics.…”

Luminous and solar characterization of PV modules for building integration

“…This activity, commonly named as Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), combines the architectural integration of the PV modules with renewable electricity generation in buildings. The optimization of these elements from the electrical, thermal and optical points of view will improve the building energy efficiency [1]. According to the current European regulations about the energy performance of buildings and energy efficiency, such as Directives 2010/31/EU, and 2012/27/EU, respectively [2,3], the energy performance of buildings should be calculated on the basis of a methodology which consider thermal characteristics, adequate natural lighting, heating and air-conditioning installations, application of energy from renewable sources, passive heating and cooling elements, shading, indoor air-quality, and design of the building.…”