Luminous and solar characterization of PV modules for building integration

Abstract

Keywords:Building integrated photovoltaics BIPV Optical characterization PV module PV laminate PV glazing Spectrophotometry TransparencyThe optical characterization of different PV modules for integration in buildings (BIPV) is presented in this paper. The investigated PV modules are laminated glasses (PV laminates) suitable for integration in facades and windows. They are made of different PV cell technologies and some of them present a certain transparency degree, making possible to combine daylighting properties with solar control and electrical generation. The approach is based on spectral UV/vis/NIR reflectance and transmittance measurements of the different considered samples, both at normal incidence and asa function of the angle of incidence when it is possible. The European standard protocols are used to determine the luminous and the solar characteristics of each sample, enabling the optical assessment of these PV modules as building elements. The results indicate the good properties of PV laminates in terms of daylighting and solar control capabilities allowing a feasible efficient integration in building facades and windows. The obtained characteristic parameters can be used to simulate the influence in the energy balance of a building of different types of PV modules integrated in facade or window elements.

Building Integrated Photovoltaics: A Concise Description of the Current State of the Art and Possible Research Pathways

“…Furthermore, note the study of screening-engineered field-effect solar cells by Regan et al [118]. Other relevant studies on BIPV may also be found in the scientific literature [119][120][121][122][123][124][125][126][127][128].…”

Parametric Open Source Cold-Frame Agrivoltaic Systems

“…Although conventional PV modules have been used in agrivoltaics, the POSCAS is designed to test the performance of semi-transparent agrivoltaic specific PV modules. There are two primary types of semi-transparent PV that have mostly been used for building integrated PV(BIPV): (i) thin-film based semi-transparent PV, where in general the thickness of the active layer is adjusted to impact the transparency of the module and (ii) modules using crystal silicon technology where the spacing between cells is adjusted to adjust transparency [113][114][115][116][117]. This latter method also includes crystalline-silicon spherical solar microcells [118].…”

Comparative Performance of Semi-Transparent PV Modules and Electrochromic Windows for Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings

“…To obtain the luminous and solar characteristics, the transmittance and reflectance spectra have been determined (measurement error ± 1%) in the wavelength range of 250 to 2500 nm (see Figure 1), with a Perkin Elmer ® Lambda 900 UV/vis/NIR spectrophotometer equipped with an integrating sphere. The optical characterization of the PV modules and of the electrochromic smart windows follows the methodology suggested by [13] for semi-transparent PV modules, based on the standard EN 410 [28], which is also the document considered in EN 50583. The standard, which is equivalent to the international ISO 9050, specifies the methodology for determining the luminous and solar characteristics of glazing in buildings, allowing the comparison of different types of elements.…”

“…For that purpose, it is firstly necessary to characterize the optical and thermal properties of these elements, and to analyze how these properties change as a function of their design parameters, such as transparency or glazing structure. Several works can be found in the literature on the energy assessment of buildings with STPV façades [11][12][13][14][15] or ECSW dynamic glazing [16][17][18]. These studies report the best energy saving potential in each location and building type, after analyzing the influence of parameters such as the PV module transparency, the window-to-wall ratio, or the type of glass structure, ranging from single glass to multiple glazing insulated windows.…”

“…Olivieri et al [12] evaluated the energy saving potential of different amorphous silicon STPV, considering the effect of the sample transparency and the window-to-wall ratio. The study is based on previous optical characterization of PV modules [13]. Didoné and Wagner [14] and other authors [16][17][18] concluded that both STPVs and ECSWs have considerable potential for reducing lighting and air-conditioning load if used with appropriate control strategies.…”