Hybrid energy saving performance of translucent CdTe photovoltaic window on small ship under sailing condition

Abstract

Deck photovoltaic (PV) system has been widely investigated on ocean-going ships to reduce oil consumption. However, its adoption on smaller ship encounters obstacles such as limited deck space, reduced energy efficiency, and cumbersome support structures. This paper explores the application of vertical PV windows on small ships as an alternative solution. By retrofitting standard glass with PV windows, the electricity generation area is expanded without occupying valuable deck space or requiring heavy brackets. Unlike deck PV system that solely generate electricity, PV windows also have the added benefit of reducing cooling load inside cabin, enhancing the overall energy-saving effect. Solar energy received by vertical surface is related to heading angles during navigation, a factor that has received scant attention in previous studies. Therefore, hybrid energy saving performance of PV window system is investigated under sailing condition by experiment and simulation methods. The electricity performance of PV window exhibits periodic fluctuations in closed-route trails, with sailing resulting in better electricity performance than mooring. Annual simulation research indicates that PV window system can generate 300.0 kWh of electricity actively, decrease 374.4 kWh of air conditioning load passively and reduce 472.0 kg of CO2 emission. The optimal transmittance of PV window is 0.4%.