BIPV Technology Research Articles

Integration of BIPV Technology with Modular Prefabricated Building - A Review

Integration of BIPV Technology with Modular Prefabricated Building - A Review

Analysis and Comparison of Energy Generation from a 38.4 kWp BIPV System Using PVsyst Simulation Tool

Objectives: Rapid growth of energy demands into all sectors like residential, industrial, and commercial sectors; PV system is the best among all alternative renewable energy systems (RES). This work provides a simulation & comparative performance analysis of a 38.4 kWp Building Integrated Photovoltaic System (BIPV). Methods: Using the PVsyst tool, this research focuses on energy generation and its performance ratio of 38.4 kWp rooftop PV system installed at Integral University, Lucknow (India) with the coordinates of 26.84 N and 80.94 E. BIPV system installation is dependent on geographical location and meteorological conditions like temperature window. Many system components like PV modules, inverters, cables, etc. are employed. The growth of BIPV adoption is supported by government incentives and policies, leading to its increased integration in residential, commercial, industrial, and transport sectors. Findings: BIPV technology is key to reducing global building energy consumption, which accounts for approximately 40% of total energy use, contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions. 38.4 kWp rooftop PV system at Integral University in Lucknow, India, serves as a reference for BIPV system simulation, helping to validate its performance and improve system reliability. Novelty: To validate accuracy of BIPV system simulation, the actual data from the rooftop PV system is compared. So, the system reliability can be improved by comparing simulation results. Keywords: Building Integrated Photovoltaic System (BIPV System), MPPT, Performance Ratio (PR), Posit Energy Generation Tool, Solar PV System

Integrated Photovoltaic Systems in Ecorubarchitecture

Implementation of integrated photovoltaic systems in building construction represents a strategic step in ecourbarchitectonic, functionally innovated formation of building with an altered esthetics and artistic understanding of spatial compositions. In such a concept, there are renewable energy sources which with modular solar panels bring about a high architectonic quality. They are an integral part of the structure, generating photovoltaic energy. The advent of BIPV technologies opened a very important city-building topic on future harmonic formation of the houses, their positioning and layout orientation in relation to the natural and artifact environment, as well as on the organic, environmental interpolation of physical structures into the existing urban fabric. In general, it is a strategic question of urbanity in terms of further formation of the appearance of houses, streets, squares and plazas in different climates. In the focus is a correct choice of the type of BIPV facades and building material which will improve its performance.

Design of a color neutral non‐patterned photovoltaic window based on luminescent solar concentrator

The necessity to fulfil buildings energy demand with different energy sources lead to an increasing integration between building components and renewable energy sources. The development of new BIPV technologies requiring less silicon solar cells for active area is particularly interesting especially from a circular economy perspective. This work describes the design of five neutral color photovoltaic windows based on large area (0.61 m2) luminescent solar concentrators, which were developed by the University of Ferrara and Eni S.p.A and were installed at the Eni “Renewable, New Energies and Material Science Research Centre” in Novara (Italy). The prototypes show a visible transmittance of 38.5% which represents an improvement with respect to commercial semi‐transparent photovoltaic technologies, moreover the evaluation of the window colorimetric properties highlights a color rendering index equal to 93.0, thus ensuring an excellent illumination quality of the building indoor. The panel electrical performance was measured indoor, at the end of the assembly process, and on‐site, showing a power production ranging from 1.2 W to 2.8 W and an efficiency between 0.23% and 0.48% depending on the illumination condition and the background reflectivity. Although the generated power is limited, it is already sufficient to power stand‐alone small appliances and smart systems.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Research on Technology System Adaptability of Nearly Zero-Energy Office Buildings in the Hot Summer and Cold Winter Zone of China

In the current context of huge global energy consumption and harsh climatic conditions, the energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings have received much attention. The nearly zero-energy building (nZEB) is a feasible solution for solving the energy crisis in the building sector in recent years, and it is important to study the adaptability of its technology system. However, existing studies have not addressed well the issue of the impact of complex and diverse climates on the technology systems of nZEBs. Secondly, in contrast to residential buildings, nearly zero-energy technology systems for office buildings need to be further developed. This study takes the hot summer and cold winter (HSCW) zone of China as an example and uses numerical simulations and orthogonal experiments to investigate the adaptability of nearly zero-energy office building technology systems under complex and diverse climate conditions. The results show the following: (1) Passive technologies are greatly affected by the complexity and diversity of climates. Optimal envelope thermal parameters tailored to specific zones are identified. Specifically, the optimal level of KWALL in the CT and HSCWC zones is 0.2 W/(m2·K), and the optimal level of KWALL in the HSWWT zone is 0.3 W/(m2·K); the optimal level of KROOF in the CT zone is 0.15 W/(m2·K), and the optimal level of KROOF in the HSCWC and HSWWT zones is 0.25 W/(m2·K); (2) Active technologies do not mainly receive the influence of the complexity and diversity of climates, and ED, HR, and TS measures should be adopted for office buildings; (3) The rational utilization of renewable energy is influenced by local resource conditions. This study evaluates the adaptability of GSHP, ASHP, and BIPV technologies. To better meet the requirements of nearly zero-energy office buildings, it is recommended to adopt GSHP for the CT zone and ASHP for the HCWWT zone. This study will be helpful for the development of nearly zero-energy office building technology systems in other complex and diverse climatic zones.

Energy performance of an innovative bifacial photovoltaic sunshade (BiPVS) under hot summer and warm winter climate

The bi-facial photovoltaic sunshade (BiPVS) is an innovative solution that utilizes vertically mounted bi-facial photovoltaic modules to provide shading. The BiPVS is capable of converting incident solar radiation into electricity on both the front and rear sides of the module, resulting in higher electrical efficiency compared to traditional mono-facial PV sunshades. The BiPVS has great potential as a sustainable solution for building shading and energy generation, which allows for improved indoor light/thermal environment and building energy efficiency. In this study, the bi-facial photovoltaic sunshade (BiPVS) was implemented in an office under typical hot summer and warm winter climate of Shenzhen, China. The energy performance of the BiPVS was analyzed using Energyplus. The comprehensive building energy saving was evaluated by comparing the energy consumption of the office with and without the BiPVS. Results showed that the total annual photovoltaic power generation was 133.19 kWh, while the comprehensive building energy savings were 159.65 kWh. Additionally, carbon dioxide emissions were reduced by 83.29 kgCO2 per year. The proposed method can help optimize the design parameters of BiPVS according to specific climate conditions, building types, and orientation, and contribute to the development of high-efficiency BIPV technology and support efforts towards carbon neutrality.

Building energy conservation potentials of semi-transparent CdTe integrated photovoltaic window systems in Bangladesh context

Building integrated photovoltaic systems are getting popular worldwide due to their building energy conservation properties alongside emission-free electricity generation capabilities. BIPV is a suitable way to generate renewable energy without wasting any land or building space. Bangladesh has set a target to generate a great portion of its electricity from solar energy and has already implemented different photovoltaic applications. However, Bangladesh still has no policy and guidelines to implement BIPV technology in its different types of buildings. In this study, we investigated the energy conservation potentials of three different configurations of semi-transparent CdTe combined building integrated window systems in an office building considering Bangladesh's climate conditions. To investigate the building energy conservation potentials of BIPV window systems, an EnergyPlus-based numerical simulation model was developed and validated with outdoor experiment data. The annual energy simulation results indicate that in all climate conditions, CdTe combined BIPV windows can save ranging from around 30–61% of electricity consumption compared to conventional window systems. Besides, it generate around 270 kWh electricity and ensure indoor daylight illuminance level at 300 lux. Moreover, in all climate conditions, south-faced BIPV windows are more efficient for power generation, but east-faced windows are more efficient to reduce net electricity consumption.

Criteria for building types selection in preserved areas to pre-assess the Building Integrated Photovoltaics solar potential -The case study of Como land area

The implementation of RES technologies in preserved areas encounters specific challenges and barriers due to the pre-existence of valuable heritage and natural values. This research aims at identifying a clear methodology to evaluate the potential application of Building Integrated Photovoltaics systems (BIPV) in heritage buildings and protected land areas. The study, realized in the framework of the Interreg V-A Italy-Switzerland project “BIPV meets history”, presents the methodology for analyzing the best BIPV exploitation possibilities to validate their applicability in a preserved land area in the province of Como (Italy). This methodology considered several characteristics such as the predisposition, limits, suitable BIPV technologies and so forth. After the identification of the most recurrent building types and the related relevant characteristics for the solar potential exploitation have been identified, the analysis focused on the historical buildings that despite the high energy retrofitting potential encounter the major technical and heritage constraints for BIPV. The study resulted into a building classification database, which lists a series of parameters and identifies the main architectural elements and compatible criteria with the BIPV application. This study creates the base for the evaluation of effective energy savings related to the use of BIPV technology on heritage buildings and landscapes and demonstrate their potential for improving the energy efficiency of historic buildings and sites, safeguarding their heritage values.

Comprehensive investigation on the luminous and energy-saving performance of the double-skin ventilated window integrated with CdTe cells

The PV double-skin windows, as an advancing BIPV technology, possess great potential in developing low-energy consumption buildings. However, the Semi-Transparent PV glasses change the indoor illuminance and spectral distribution. Therefore, quantifying the indoor luminous environment and comprehensively evaluating the luminous and energy-saving performance are of great significance to the promotion of PV double-skin windows. In this work, the thermal-electrical-daylight experiment of a double-skin ventilated window integrated with CdTe cells was conducted. Based on the measured spectral data of the CdTe glasses, the color properties and the daylighting performance were predicted. Then, the overall energy performance of the proposed window was simulated using the validated thermoelectric model. Finally, the comparison between the proposed window and some PV windows in the reported literature was performed. The main results were: (1) The SHGCs of the investigated window in winter and summer were 0.28 and 0.11, respectively. Its U-value and daylight factor were 2.05 W/m2K and 0.6%, respectively. (2) CdTe glass could improve indoor luminous performance and lead to a reduction of annual energy consumption. (3) Compared with the reported PV windows, the CdTe-DSV window could meet seasonal thermal demand while providing better color properties.

An optimization approach to photovoltaic building integration towards low energy buildings in different climate zones

Building integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPVs) focusing on windows, such as semi-transparent photovoltaic (STPV) or PV shading devices (PVSD), are proposed as efficient approaches to the production of electricity and the improvement of building energy performance. However, glass replacement with advanced PV concepts needs thorough energy and environmental assessment, since it took more than a millennium to produce transparent window glass of high visibility. Despite the many published studies in relation to the performance of each technology, there are limited comparative investigations of the proposed PV integration options and the most appropriate integration solutions for different climatic regions. Here, we report, for the first time, on the energy performance of four BIPVs that control solar radiation through windows and their effect on the built environment for three different climatic zones. The evaluation was done through TRNSYS simulations and calculation of representative indexes associated with thermal and visual comfort. A BIPV-flexibility index, given as a ratio of self-sufficiency to self-consumption, is proposed as a figure of merit for the assessment of each BIPV technology’s electricity production and its effect on building energy performance. The findings clearly show that BIPVs could substantially contribute to the transition to zero energy buildings due to their passive energy benefits (up to 43% savings) in addition to their electricity production. Opaque module, PV shadings and PV windows optimize the BIPV-flexibility index (up to 0.57) for cold, moderate and hot climates, with acceptable indoor thermal (up to 54% of time) and visual (up to 83% of time) comfort.

Techno-economic study of BIPV in typical Sahara region in Algeria

Building in urban areas in the Sahara region is confronted with two main issues: (i) the climate change and (ii) the energy consumption. In order to deal with the latest issues, experts want to focus all their efforts on the use of renewable energy, and most particularly solar energy that is widely available at the Sahara. In this work, we have carried out a comprehensive survey related to benefits, techniques, and criteria affecting the energy efficiency of using BIPV and its advantages over glazing. To be clearer, we have selected as a case of study of a contemporary building covered by standard glazing and replaced by BIPV located in a Sahara region in Algeria. Moreover, the point of view of urban architectural, and energy economy, have been well investigated. Where the necessary time period was calculated to recover the total amounts of expenses for BIPV technology in the event that it is installed on the roof and then in the event that this technology is installed in the facades. As a result, using BIPV in this specific region of a hot climate has to be a dominant idea to reduce both energy consumption and economical

Performance assessment of BIPV/T double-skin façade for various climate zones in Australia: Effects on energy consumption

Being the interface between indoor and outdoor, building envelope significantly influences indoor heating and cooling loads and thus affects building energy consumption. This paper presents the results of numerical simulation for the performance prediction of building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal double-skin facade (BIPV/T-DSF). Different BIPV materials (amorphous silicon PV, dye-sensitized solar cell and Perovskite based solar cells) were considered as the exterior cladding of a North-facing facade of an office building located in Australia. The performance assessment involved the selection of three climates in Australia, represented by the cities of Darwin, Sydney and Canberra. The air cavity created between the outer skin and the inner one were alternatively assessed in the non-ventilated, naturally-ventilated and mechanically-ventilated modes of operation, while a full sensitivity analysis was performed in order to assess the influence of different design parameters, such as internal skin’s thermal transmittance, cavity depth, ventilation louvres’ opening ratio and cavity ventilation rate. By comparing the different operational modes and BIPV technologies, it was found that naturally-ventilated DSF integrating the Perovskite-based solar cell could be the optimal configuration achieving the highest savings. Total annual energy savings of 34.1%, 86% and 106% annual were reached respectively in Darwin, Sydney and Canberra, in comparison to conventional technologies. In addition, this façade technology could further reduce the building’s heating and cooling loads by harvesting thermal energy generated within the air cavity. The study finally demonstrated that the harvested electrical and thermal energy from the façade could cover a significant share of building’s energy consumption.

S.M.O Solution: An Innovative Design Approach to Optimize the Output of BIPV Systems Located in Dense Urban Environments

BIPV technologies applied to façades are strongly affected by complex and dynamic shadings especially when located in dense urban environments. In this case, the shading effects need to be evaluated in detail in order to properly estimate the energy yield and optimise the energy harvest of such PV systems.The S.M.O (String Matching Optimisation) solution represents a new approach, entirely based on open-source software, which allows a very accurate study of the shading effects on façades and the investigation of electrical behaviour of BIPV strings under complex irradiation patterns. This solution has been validated with a real pilot BIPV façade located in southern Switzerland and the model was simulated on other theoretical PV façades with different levels of complexity. The presented method allows an accurate evaluation and optimisation of the energy yield of BIPV facades in complex urban environments.

Research of Thermal Energy Storage Technology in the Solar Thermodynamic Power

Recently, although renewable energy has a great development, primary source is still thermal power generation, which uses fossil fuel as the energy source. Supply and demand of fossil fuel are essential for social and economy development. However, development pattern that excessively relies on the natural source is impossible to provide a sustainable development way for us. As a result, we should combine renewable energy with new energy technology as the aim of economy. It means that it is urgent to exploit new energy. Meanwhile, the ratio of energy waste cannot be ignored. How to decrease energy waste is also significant. Construction sector costs a lot of energy, which is mainly used for heating and refrigeration. In the new energy generation technology, thermal energy can be transformed to electricity with combination of BIPV and thermal energy storage technology. Photovoltaic generation has a great progress in the building construction. As a result, the thermal energy storage technology becomes the key link in the production chain. In this paper, feasibility of applying phase-change material (PCM) in the thermal energy storage will be analyzed. And analysis results are provided with a relative mathematical model.

Building Integrated Photovoltaic Market trend and its Applications

The development of BIPV technology and their implementation in construction of building envelop provides an aesthetical, economical and technical solution. This paper presents the building envelope products, and their properties. BIPV products for pitched roof, flat and curved roof, transparent and semi-transparent facades and skylights have been highlighted in the paper. The properties of BIPV products include solar cell efficiency, open circuit voltage, and short circuit current, maximum power and fill factor. Few successful worldwide existing BIPV Projects with different product categories are also listed in a tabular form. The major considerations for a successful project are proper orientation of BIPV module, suitable distance between buildings, avoidance shadow effects and suitable architectural considerations BIPV technology is a sustainable and cost effective method and the future of this technology is promising as it creates zero energy and zero emission buildings. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/telkomnika.v14i2.7338

BIPV technology application: Highlighting advances, tendencies and solutions through Solar Decathlon Europe houses

One of the main characteristics of the Solar Decathlon Europe houses is that they run exclusively on solar energy, as part of the requirements of this worldwide competition for universities. This obligation stimulates the university Teams to search for innovative solutions to integrate photovoltaic technologies in their houses, searching for the best options that combine design with energy efficiency, energy performance and construction. The main tendencies, advances and solutions are presented.

Study on Green Low Carbon Building Design Based on Photovoltaic Power Generation Technology

Under the background of global warming, green low carbon buildings have become a trend which is considered to reduce the carbon emissions. This paper, on the basis of analysis on the traditional low carbon building design methods, puts forward a new concept of design supported by the technology of photovoltaic power generation. This paper introduces the development and principles of photovoltaic power generation and emphasizes the BIPV technology. Green low carbon building design based on BIPV can be divided into active and passive design, which all has a positive influence on the green low carbon design.

Assessment of fixed shading devices with integrated PV for efficient energy use

The use of external fixed shading devices to adjust solar influx radiation and to save energy is well known. However, fixed shading devices can reduce daylight availability, increase artificial light needs and block the beneficial winter solar radiation.This paper is part of a research on the characteristics of the optimum shading device. The aim is to investigate the balance between the energy needs for heating and cooling the space that the shading device is used for and the energy that is used for lighting the same space and the energy that the shading device can produce.In order to investigate the balance between the above mentioned parameters, thirteen types of fixed shading devices have been studied and categorized according to their energy performance, for a single occupant office room. The same office room is tested for two different Mediterranean latitudes in Athens and in Chania, Crete in Greece and for two different south facing windows’ sizes.The thermal behavior of the devices is assessed through computer simulation application and the daylight analysis is assessed with both computer simulation and physical modeling. Stable parameters were the internal loads in the office room, the south orientation of the façade and the type of glazing. Variable parameter was the type of the fixed shading device.The study shows that all shading devices with integrated south facing PV can efficiently produce electricity which may be used for lighting. The study highlights the fact that shading devices such as Surrounding shading, Brise–Soleil full façade and Canopy inclined double work efficiently against thermal and cooling loads and may be used to produce sufficient electricity and control daylight. The study defines the geometrical parameters that will be incorporated to the overall characteristics of the optimum fixed shading device and proposes new fields of development for the BIPV technologies.

The Study of Solar Photovoltaic Building Integration Design Methods

Today the energy crisis is increasingly tense, because the solar building has the advantages of ecology and sustainability, it has broadly prospects for development, and it is increasingly becoming a new architectural concepts and methods. The paper systematically described the experience of BIPV technology applications, forecast the development trends, discussed the key issues needing to dispose and put forward a viable development strategy. Through specific examples, this paper carried out in-depth study and conducted a comprehensive discuss about the relevant issues. This is very meaningful to solve the global energy crisis and establish a low-carbon world.