Energy savings of office buildings by the use of semi-transparent solar cells for windows

Integral energy performance characterization of semi-transparent photovoltaic elements for building integration under real operation conditions

“…To date, research on STPV modules has been focused, on the one hand, on estimating the energy performance using different commercial simulation software packages [7][8][9][10][11] and, on the other hand, on modeling the heat transfer process and fluid dynamics behavior of ventilated facades [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

“…Using different simulation software packages (TRNSYS, WINDOW, Adeline) they concluded that building specific design parameters like orientation, slope of PV surface or internal gain intensity influence the building performance largely than the PV module properties. Miyazaki et al [10] expounded the effect of thin-film solar cell transmittance and window to wall ratio on the energy consumption of office buildings in terms of heating and cooling loads, daylighting, and electricity production. The simulation was carried out using EnergyPlus and it was found that the total electricity consumption of the building could be reduced by 55% using optimum STPV windows.…”

Optimal PV cell coverage ratio for semi-transparent photovoltaics on office building façades in central China

“…The transmittance of PV panels or glass for PV façades, which is determined by the PV cell coverage ratio, has been shown to have a profound impact on the overall energy consumption of buildings, particularly through its effects on PV electricity generation, lighting, cooling, and heating [10][11][12]. For example, Jiang et al [10] conducted a study to investigate the influence of PV cell coverage ratio on the thermal and electrical performance of photovoltaic Trombe walls and discovered that a higher PV cell coverage ratio does not necessarily result in better thermal performance.…”

“…In terms of overall energy consumption, Wong et al [11] described the minimisation of energy consumption based on combinations of semi-transparent PV transmittance and window-to-wall ratios (WWRs). Conversely, Miyazaki et al [12] found lighting control to be an important element in maximising the usage of daylight and demonstrated that the impact of solar cell transmittance on energy performance varied with WWR. In general, PV cell coverage ratio controls the transmittance of semi-transparent PV façades and the studies described above suggest the existence of an optimal PV cell coverage ratio that can achieve the minimum overall energy consumption.…”

“…In Brazil, the use of a semi-transparent PV window has been shown to save up to 43% of energy [14]. Conversely, in Japan, 55% energy savings were achieved (compared to a single-glazed window) with a solar cell transmittance of 40% and WWR of 50% [12], whereas energy savings of 16.7-41.3% were achieved in Singapore for a WWR range of 70-100% [15]. Other previous studies [16][17] have also demonstrated the importance of considering climatic conditions in the investigation of semi-transparent PV window applications.…”