Abstract
Semi-transparent photovoltaic (STPV) windows, one of the building façade elements, can generate electricity and provide a certain amount of daylight for occupants. Nevertheless, expensive cost and unsatisfying indoor daylight performance in the room are common problems with STPV windows. This study investigates the thermal, daylight, energy, and life-cycle cost performance of STPV windows by considering varied window-to-wall ratios, building orientations, and STPV module types. The electricity balance index (elBI) indicator is proposed as one of the performance evaluation criteria. Two types of building models are established for this study: a rig-test building as the baseline building model and a KAIST campus research facility as the test building model along with the actual measurements and simulations using DesignBuilder. Results show that the STPV window in the Mediterranean climate demonstrates higher efficiency based on the elBI indicator. Decision-making analysis using the analytic hierarchy process and PROMETHEE II found weighting rates of 0.309, 0.076, and 0.465 for elBI, comfort, and cost criteria, respectively. Furthermore, lighting energy consumption becomes a critical variable for STPV module type selection, while a simple ON/OFF lighting control system can improve the elBI value by 0.02 ~ 0.04. Our research findings could potentially improve the decision-making process for building and urban energy systems selection in different climate types.
Highlights
The building sector, inclusive of residential and commercial sectors, comprises roughly30% of globally delivered energy consumption [1]
This research aims to identify semi-transparent photovoltaic (STPV) integrated window selection decision-making by considering energy, thermal comfort, visual comfort, and cost for a building located in different climate types
A semi-transparent photovoltaics (STPV) evaluation system for building façade application was investigated through a combination of actual measurement and simulation results
Summary
The building sector, inclusive of residential and commercial sectors, comprises roughly30% of globally delivered energy consumption [1]. As one of the energy sensitive building elements, the building façade becomes a physical interface between the external and internal building environment. In order to implement a zero energy building (ZEB) concept into reality, a high-performance sustainable façade should be addressed. A window is a glazed façade that plays an essential role in connecting the indoor and outdoor environment. A window serves as an aesthetic element, a heat and mass transfer medium, and a daylighting penetration interface, showing a significant role in energy consumption in buildings [3]. Numerous PV materials that possess opaque and even transparent characteristics have been proposed. These materials could be integrated with the building facade and are usually called building-integrated
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