The performance analysis of a double-skin ventilated window integrated with CdTe cells in typical climate regions

Abstract

In this work, a double-skin ventilated window integrated with CdTe cells was proposed, which can adapt to various climate conditions by switching the work modes. Firstly, the experiment of testing the thermal and electrical behaviors of this window was conducted on an actual building. Secondly, the simulation model coupling this window with the building was developed and validated against the experimental data. Thirdly, the annual performance of the proposed window (including heat, daylight, PV output) in typical climate regions of high, middle, low latitudes was predicted. Finally, the impact of change in parameters on the energy performance was analyzed. The experimental results showed that the proposed window could provide the hot air to the room under winter mode, and effectively reduced solar heat gain under summer mode. The PV efficiency was greatly affected by solar incident angle. The simulated results indicated that the electricity loss due to the extinction and reflection of glass was about 25%-30%. For Hefei and Harbin, the most energy-efficient orientation of the proposed window was south, and it was west for Haikou. As the PV coverage ratio increased, the net energy consumption decreased firstly and then increased. The optimal values for Harbin, Hefei, and Haikou were 50%, 60%, and 70%, respectively. Increasing the window-wall ratio and the cavity depth was always beneficial to reduce NEC.