Optimal Configuration for Building Integrated Photovoltaics System to Mitigate the Partial Shading on Complex Geometric Roofs

Abstract

Middle East region has a high capability of adopting Photovoltaics system due to the massive values of irradiation that this region has. Many new building proj ects being established in the region with roof spaces that can be utilized to install Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) system. However, due to the contemporary, sophisticated geometric design of the roofs in most of the building projects, the curvature of the rooftop creates a big insolation difference due to the partial shading of these rooftops. This paper illustrates the partial shading on the BIPV modules in one of Qatar's most recent project (Qatar Rail stations) by collecting data from the regional weather station and simulated data by using Building Information Modeling (BIM) for insolation simulation. The modeling of the BIPV system was done in MATLAB/Simulink. Different system configuration layout scenarios for different BIPV insolation were examined to show the behavior of which I-V and P-V characteristics with the highest insolation BIPV array. it is concluded that the system is preferred to be separated in parallel connection to not limit its current components with the smallest insolation value among all BIPV arrays. The outcomes of the proposed algorithm are believed suggestive for facilitating the development of BIPV systems-a new domain combined architecture and solar energy integration.