Quantification of wind-driven rain intrusion in building-integrated photovoltaic systems

Anna Fedorova,Bjørn Petter Jelle,Bozena Dorota Hrynyszyn,Stig Geving

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2021.10.030

Anna Fedorova, Bjørn Petter Jelle + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2021.10.030

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Abstract

Wind-driven rain (WDR) impact is a serious exposure that affects performance of the building envelope components and systems. This study presents results from a laboratory investigation of a testing methodology of WDR intrusion in building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems. The major aspect proposed in this work is a quantification of water intrusion through BIPV systems. For that matter, a water collection system was designed and tested. When water intrusion is quantified, it may enable categorisation and comparison of various BIPV systems according to their watertightness level. This methodology was applied to three BIPV systems designed for roof integration. The methodology can also be modified and used for various building envelope systems, including traditional roof and facade systems without PV or BIPV systems. As the methodology was developed with climate conditions in northern Europe in mind, WDR exposure of extreme levels was applied. Wind speed ranges from 12.9 m/s (strong breeze) to 35.3 m/s (hurricane) were used. When it comes to newly developed and not well-studied building envelope systems, such as various BIPV systems, they should be subjected to a more extensive investigation. The proposed testing methodology could become an extension of the standard investigations of BIPV systems carried out at accredited laboratories.

Highlights

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are photovoltaic modules designed to be integrated into parts of the building envelope, such as roofs or facades (Jelle et al, 2012)
Systems were tested: first, building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system 1, BIPV system 2, and BIPV system 3 installed with steel roof plates
The wind-driven rain (WDR) tightness test of BIPV system 1 started with the system being inclined at 30◦ (Fig. 11) and load level 0

Summary

Introduction

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are photovoltaic modules designed to be integrated into parts of the building envelope, such as roofs or facades (Jelle et al, 2012). Before the building envelope systems are installed, they may be examined to withstand WDR exposure. This testing is not obligatory for the building envelope systems to be sold on the market as such a test is not a part of The Construction Product Regulation (CPR) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and the European Council (The European Parliament and the European Council, 2011), which specifies harmonized rules for the marketing of construction products in the EU. BIPV systems are still mostly seen as electricity generators Their evaluation focuses on testing and verification according to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards (CEA et al, 2016; Wohlgemuth, 2012) IEC 61215 “Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval” (International Elec trotechnical Commission, 2016a, 2016b, 2016c, 2016d, 2016e) and IEC 61730 “Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification” (International Electrotechnical Commission, 2016f, 2016g). BIPV systems are not usually evaluated as components of the building license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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