Abstract
In September 1997 the first grid-connected, building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) installation in Brazil started operating in Florianópolis (27°S). The 2 kWp double-junction amorphous silicon PV system was retrofitted to the Solar Energy Laboratory's (LABSOLAR) building envelope, and connected through four commercial line-commutated inverters to the building's supply network. To demonstrate the architectural features of thin film PV technologies, both semitransparent and opaque modules were mounted on a north-facing, latitude-tilted overhang configuration. BIPV systems operating under the warmer conditions common in Brazil will typically experience relatively high operating temperatures, which suits the a-Si PV technology well. The installation is fully instrumented and is continuously monitored in order to allow the performance assessment of amorphous silicon PV operating at the prevailing conditions. This paper describes the design of the installation and presents system performance data from the first 18 months of operation. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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