Modeling the performance of amorphous and crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules for different types of building integration conditions

Abstract

In this work we use and further elaborate a model which has previously been proposed to model the daily energy performance of amorphous (a-Si) and crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic solar modules under real operation conditions. In the present work we expand the simulations to model, besides a conventional ventilated free-rack mounted installations (south-facing, 45° tilt), the performance of the same technologies to include BIPV installations conditions. For simplicity, we consider two extreme cases: (a) a south-facing facade installation (90°) and (b) a perfectly horizontal one (0°). The angle-of-incidence AOI response of the modules is then used to model reflection losses. Further, fully integrated PV modules -compared to ventilated ones - exhibit average operating temperatures that can reach +20°C differences in days of clear sky conditions. These offset is used to model the operating temperatures - and performance losses - BIPV modules.