PCM Integrated in BiPV Ventilated Façade Concepts: Experimental Test Cell Platform and Initial Full-Scale Measurements

Abstract

Recently, a wide range of novel façade solutions directly utilizing solar energy has been described as Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BiPV). However, there are still barriers (e.g. cells’ overheating) to overcome in order to promote widespread application of BiPV concepts. Therefore PV/PCM systems have been already studied to improve the performance of PV, however their integration in building (BiPV/PCM) is still not adequately investigated. In this regard, the main objective of this paper is to present one of the viable way of investigation a novel combination of BiPV/PCM. This can utilize PV cells cooling principle at behind of the BiPV layer in ventilated façade. The key research methods are based on the experimental and building energy simulation studies. For this purpose, a specific experimental test platform was developed to provide experimental measurements on ongoing long-term full-scale level in Brno, Czechia. Two types of ventilated BiPV façade are tested there with/without PCM layer behind the PV cells. The paper introduces the test platform which is used for evaluation of specific aspects of integrated PCMs in BiPV management and demonstrates the initial thermal response measurements. The influence of PCMs on the real performance of the BiPV façade and effectivity of application of latent thermal energy storage used on reduction of the peak operating temperatures of the PV modules as well as shifting of air temperature inside the façade cavity is analysed. Finally, the extensive measurements provide real performance data that will be used to verify the building energy simulations.