Experimental Study of Thermal Response of PV Modules Integrated into Naturally-ventilated Double Skin Facades

Abstract

Building-Integrated Photovoltaic systems (BIPV) represent a promising solution for the local generation of clean electricity combined with cooling or heating through the exploitation of natural convection or mechanical ventilation. In this article we present, through the ADEME project “RESSOURCES”, such components developed on a large scale (and adapted for new builds and renovation projects). To date, the work has focused upon 3 prototype building envelopes comprising naturally-ventilated double-skin configurations installed on real buildings: two systems were developed for individual houses (Moret sur Loing, EDF R&D) and one for an office building (Toulouse, HBS-Technal). A comparative experimental evaluation of the three prototypes is presented in terms of the thermal response of the PV elements and the air cavity.