Study on the Energy Saving Potential for Semi-Transparent PV Window in Southwest China

Hao Tian,Mo Chen,Xinwen Wu,Yupeng Wu,Lingzhi Xie,Yanyi Sun,Wei Wang,Wei Zhang

doi:10.3390/en11113239

Hao Tian, Mo Chen + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/en11113239

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Journal: Energies	Publication Date: Nov 21, 2018
Citations: 12	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Sichuan University, University of Nottingham

Abstract

To study Semi-Transparent photovoltaic (STPV) windows, experiments were conducted to test the energy potential of STPV window installed in buildings. Two identical rooms were built up as experimental units; one was fitted with amorphous silicon (a-silicon) photovoltaic (PV) windows, and another was fitted with a conventional window. The interactional influence was analyzed among air conditioning energy consumption, lighting energy consumption, and energy generation. It can be concluded that STPV windows could provide 0.26 kWh/per day and save 29% on comprehensive building load on a typical sunny day. In order to further investigate, buildings installed with STPV windows in four typical cities with different climate environments in southwest China were simulated and analyzed. The cooling load of the buildings were all decreased while the heating energy consumption and lighting energy consumption were lightly increased. The energy generation of STPV windows was highest in Lhasa at 402.1 kWh/year. The energy saving potential of STPV windows was predicted with good values; 54% in Kunming.

Highlights

The use of PV to meet the demand for electricity has been widely recognized
The results showed that when the transmittance of Semi-Transparent photovoltaic (STPV) windows were reduced from
The results showed that when the transmittance of STPV windows were reduced from 40% to 10%, the indoor lighting coefficient gradually reduced but the uniformity of illumination improved

Summary

Introduction

The use of PV to meet the demand for electricity has been widely recognized. It is a key developmental step of the renewable energy plan in China [1]. The application of PV technology in the construction field is important. The current building energy consumption accounts for around 30% of the total energy consumption [2]. Windows may be considered as the least energy efficient component of a building [3].

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