Colored filter's impact on the solar cells' electric output under real climatic conditions for application in building integrated photovoltaics

Abstract

Standard building integrated photovoltaic systems are integral components of building envelopes and convert solar energy into electricity. Despite their energy potential, they are still aesthetically limited. The covering of photovoltaic panels with colored optical filters may be a solution for their architectural acceptance in the building engineering domain. This research paper will provide reliable solutions due to aesthetic reasons and an overview of the electrical and thermal behavior under real climate conditions of monocrystalline solar cells covered with different colored filters. After having selected valuable transmissive low-cost colored optical filters, a theoretical as well as an experimental study was investigated on their effect on the optoelectrical performances of solar cells under different climatic conditions. The results showed that colored filters have no significant impact on the solar cell voltage output, which peaked since sunrise. However, the short-circuit current is affected by using the color filters. When covered with the yellow filter the cell produces more current than when covered with the red or blue respectively. The relative power production of the solar cell covered by the colored filter is about 73%, 64%, and 54% respectively for the yellow, red, and blue filters. Even though energy is lost by using colored filters, their use becomes indispensable for certain architects for aesthetic reasons and provided practical solutions within the broader building engineering domain.