Abstract
Aesthetic appearance of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products, such as semitransparent PV (STPV) glass, is crucial for their widespread adoption and contribution to the net-zero energy building (NZEB) goal. However, the visual distortion significantly limits the aesthetics of STPV glass. In this study, we investigate the distortion effect of transparent periodic-micropattern-based thin-film PV (PMPV) panels available in the market. To minimize the visual distortion of such PMPV glass panel types, we design and develop an aperiodic micropattern-based PV (APMP) glass that significantly reduces visual distortion. The developed APMP glass demonstrates a haze ratio of 3.7% compared to the 10.7% of PMPV glass. Furthermore, the developed AMPV glass shows an average visible transmittance (AVT) of 58.3% which is around 1.3 times higher than that of AMPV glass (43.8%). Finally, the measured CIELAB values (L* = 43.2, a* = −1.55, b* = −2.86.) indicate that our developed AMPV glass possesses excellent color neutrality, which makes them suitable for commercial applications. Based on the characterization results, this study will have a significant impact on the areas of smart window glasses that can play a vital role in developing a sustainable environment and enhancing the aesthetical appearance of net-zero energy buildings (NZEB).
Highlights
Over the last couple of decades, worldwide energy consumption has increased significantly, mainly due to increases in world population and the industrial revolution
Transparent photovoltaic (TPV) is one of the dominant technologies which significantly enhance the visual appeal of the building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system
To solve the visual distortion problem, in this study, we have investigated the reason behind having high distortion on periodic-micropatternbased thin-film PV (PMPV)
Summary
Over the last couple of decades, worldwide energy consumption has increased significantly, mainly due to increases in world population and the industrial revolution. The world population is expected to be nearly 11 billion by the end of 2050 For this large population and ongoing industrialization, the energy demand will soar up to maintain a normal and sustainable lifestyle. Urban planners, environmentalists, and architects are more concerned about the issues of environmental hazards and global warming caused by non-renewable fossil fuel-based energy sources [2]. These non-renewable energy sources (Gas, Coal and Oil) have been creating devastating challenges, namely the emission of greenhouse gases, pollutants (trace metals, particles, NOx , SO2 ) into the atmosphere, pollution of water from coal, and uncontrollable ash wastes [5]. Solar photovoltaics (PV) is one of the most prominent renewable energy technologies, compared to other available technologies [7]
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