Preliminary Simulation Investigation of Building Energy Consumption of Solar PV Windows in Hot Summer and Cold Winter climate zone in China

Abstract

Photovoltaic building integrated windows can provide electric energy, heat energy and lighting for buildings, which will change the way that buildings consume energy. Aiming at the influence of photovoltaic windows on building energy consumption in hot summer and cold winter conditions, a simplified energy consumption simulation model based on light-heat-electricity is studied. The building energy consumption model, daylighting model, and Sandia photovoltaic model are integrated. Based on the tested building thermal performance parameters, the window’s power generation performance and its optical performance parameters, the impact of double-layer crystalline silicon PV windows on building energy consumption is simulated. The test results were used to validated the simulation model. According to simulation results, PV window could take advantages of the positive of blocking solar radiation, and compensate the negative effect. Considered the whole year energy saving, the PV window could save 470.03kWh, and reduce 466.5 kg of CO2.