Parametric study and sensitivity analysis on thermoelectric energy generation of building integrated photovoltaic facades in various climatic zones of China

Abstract

Building Integrated Photovoltaic facades (BIPV facades) represent state-of-the-art building envelope systems generating both electrical and thermal energy. While previous research predominantly focused on electricity generation, this study investigated impact of important design parameters on all useful thermoelectric energy, including electricity, air heat gains, and indoor heat dissipation. A novel BIPV facade model has been developed in TRNSYSvalidated by extensive long-term experimental data. Through numerical simulations conducted across different climatic zones in China, parameters impact regularities were investigated with sensitivity analysis. Results revealed that influence of parameters on electricity generation is relatively modest, with sensitivity indices ranging from 0 % to 2.4 %. BIPV facade height and building insulation U-value impact demonstrate monodirectional linear pattern, while air channel width impact exhibits extremums. For all climatic zones, both electricity generation and air heat gains are most sensitive to air channel width, with sensitivity index ranging from 1.2 % to 2.4 % and 38.3 %–42.3 %, respectively. Sensitivity index of indoor heat gains to air channel width decreases from 51.2 % to 20.9 % from north to south, while sensitivity to building insulation U-value increases from 23.8 % to 85.3 %. Research provides innovative perspective on the design of BIPV facades for comprehensive thermoelectric energy utilization with design parameter priority clarified.