Building Integrated Photovoltaic Research Articles

Energy performance and decarbonization evaluation of a novel positive energy building using solar PV

Positive Energy Buildings (PEBs) are vital for reducing energy consumption and promoting renewable energy. This study introduces a progressive method to evaluate the energy performance and decarbonization of a PEB warehouse in Central Taiwan, utilizing Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) façades and recycled coal ash concrete. The research analyzes building energy performance and renewable energy generation through energy modeling, considering different ventilation configurations and BIPV arrangements. The findings emphasize that a VRF cooling system saves 16.39% energy compared to a chiller system. The study also revealed that improving the arrangement of BIPV on the building façade significantly enhances solar energy generation efficiency even with fewer photovoltaics (PVs). The decarbonization aspect is evaluated by estimating the embodied carbon and CO2 emissions during the operational period. The PEB is projected to have a 70-year operational lifespan, functioning as a PEB for approximately 42 years, a Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) for the following 10 years, and maintaining energy efficiency for an additional 20 years. The BIPV system enables the building to remain carbon-free for up to 50 years of operation and achieve substantial carbon savings, with 90% CO2 emissions reduction after 70 years, amounting to 243,111 kgCO2e/year. The study concludes that adequate maintenance and preservation can significantly enhance building performance and longevity.

Optimized design and comparative analysis of double-glazed photovoltaic windows for enhanced light harvesting and energy efficiency in cold regions of China

This study investigates the daylighting performance and energy efficiency optimization strategies of double-glazed photovoltaic windows (DS-STPV) in cold regions of China. By conducting a comprehensive comparative analysis with traditional and energy-efficient window systems, this research aims to identify high-efficiency building solutions tailored to extreme climatic conditions. Amidst the escalating global energy demand and the pressing need for energy conservation and emission reduction, Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) technology is increasingly recognized for its potential and value as a critical method for harnessing green energy. However, the widespread adoption of BIPV technology faces several challenges, including cost-effectiveness, conversion efficiency, system stability, and architectural aesthetic integration. Utilizing the T&A House from the 3rd International Solar Decathlon as an empirical case study, this research employs Ecotect and DesignBuilder simulation software to systematically evaluate the daylighting effect and energy performance of DS-STPV. The analysis considers various key design parameters, including photovoltaic cell coverage, window orientation, and window-to-wall ratio. Through refined modeling and multi-dimensional analysis, this study aims to identify the optimal design configurations of DS-STPV windows in cold regions, with the goal of simultaneously achieving superior natural lighting quality and significant building energy efficiency. The findings indicate that a south-facing DS-STPV window design with approximately 30% photovoltaic cell coverage and a window-to-wall ratio of 30% effectively balances daylighting requirements and energy efficiency in cold regions of China. This design strategy not only ensures an abundance of natural light in the room, but also significantly reduces the building’s energy consumption, proving the superior performance of DS-STPV windows in cold climates. In addition, the unique optical properties of DS-STPV windows reduce glare, further improving the overall quality of the indoor environment. In summary, this study provides a robust scientific foundation for the application of DS-STPV windows in cold regions, offering practical guidance and reference for optimizing energy efficiency and facilitating green transformation in future building design.

A Survey Paper on Plastic Solar Cell Technology

The demand of energy is increasing day by day so non-conventional source of energy has to be used. Sun is the nonconventional source of energy. Conventional solar panels convert solar energy into electrical energy. A plastic solar cell is the type of photovoltaic that makes use of organic electronics dealing with conductive organic polymers or small molecules for light absorption and charge transport to produce electricity from sunlight by the photovoltaic effect. Polymers Provide the Advantage of Solution Processing at Room Temperature, which is Less Expensive and Enables One to Use Plastics. Therefore, If Silicon Is Replaced with Polymer Nanowires, The Solar Cell Would Be Much Lighter and Ultimately Less Costly. These Solar Cells are Thin, Several Microns in Diameter, and Scavenge All the Rays from the Sun's Radiation. Plastic Solar Cell Technology is Based on Conjugated Polymers and Molecules. Polymer Solar Cells have Generated Considerable Interest Since it Provides Environmentally Friendly, Flexible, Lightweight, Low Cost, Possibility of High-Efficiency Solar Cells in the Last Couple of Decades. Plastic Solar Cells are More Efficient and Viable in Usage. This dissertation focuses on the development and optimization of plastic solar cell technology, in particular this potential towards flexible, lightweight, and cost-effective alternative sources to traditional silicon-based solar cells. The focus of the present research work is to find optimum organic materials for higher efficiency and stability in plastic solar cells, varying from conjugated polymers to small organic molecules. Some of the main goals are improving the charge transport mechanisms and optimizing the architecture of devices through state-of-the-art techniques of fabrication, like roll-to-roll printing and layer-by-layer deposition. The other key aspect is that the project assesses the environmental aspects and lifecycle of plastic solar cells to ensure an environmentally friendly production process. Huge preliminary results were achieved at high power conversion efficiencies and durability has been greatly improved, targeting very wide spread application from portable electronics up to building-integrated photovoltaics. Therefore, the discovery of plastic solar cells might be a major step for applicable solutions in renewable energy and towards overcoming the world's increasing energy challenges.

A comprehensive energy, exergy, economic, and environmental impact assessment of building-integrated photovoltaic systems

A comprehensive energy, exergy, economic, and environmental impact assessment of building-integrated photovoltaic systems

Energy optimization of building-integrated photovoltaic for load shifting and grid robustness in high-rise buildings based on optimum planned grid output

This study proposes an energy management and optimization model of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems integrating static battery storage and electric vehicles considering stochastic parking schedules. A novel energy management strategy of orienting grid robustness with optimum planned grid output is developed to effectively manage BIPV power for load shifting in a typical high-rise building under both low-energy case and zero-energy case. Innovative assessment indicators of load shifting factor and grid robustness factor are proposed to quantify the applicability of the orienting grid robustness strategy compared with the conventional maximizing PV utilization strategy. Multi-objective optimizations are conducted to explore optimum system capacity, planned grid output in cooling and non-cooling seasons balancing the load shifting factor, grid robustness factor and lifetime net present value. The research results indicate that the orienting grid robustness strategy is effective for load shifting in the high-rise building under both low-energy case and zero-energy case with the load shifting factor at about 76.17% and 74.62%, respectively. It achieves obvious grid integration performance reducing the grid robustness factor by 49.34% in the low-energy case and 71.65% in the zero-energy case. The net present value is decreased by about 27.87% and 13.59% in two optimum cases and the annual equivalent carbon emissions are decreased by 10.12% and 65.09%, respectively. The developed energy management and optimization framework with novel strategy and indicators can improve the grid robustness and energy economy of BIPV and storage systems for high-rise buildings towards low-energy and low-carbon operations.

A REVIEW OF Solar Panel Efficiency: The Influence of Installation Angles and Design

This contrasts performance under different conditions of air, how these solar cell technologies can optimize solar energy conversion efficiency in specific locations. The intention of this information on the best applications is to consider cost, efficiency, and environmental considerations. These findings of the present study will contribute to ongoing efforts at making solar energy use better and more efficient, thereby accelerating the transition towards a greener energy future. All these technologies, including monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin-film, and Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) solar cells, have been developed to convert the energy received from the sun efficiently. As far as conversion efficiency is concerned, every technology has its plus points and negative points, especially in different climatic situations. These monocrystalline solar cells are known for their great endurance and efficiency in functioning remarkably well, even in hot and sunny conditions. Even though not as efficient as the monocrystalline counterparts, polycrystalline solar cells are still affordable and work satisfactorily in temperate climates. With their flexibility and low weight, thin-film solar cells work well with low light conditions and may be applied in many applications, such as building-integrated photovoltaics. They have greater capacity for absorbing light and lesser electron. Keywords: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin-film, and PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell).

Ultrahighly-efficient and stable luminescent solar concentrators enabled by FRET-based carbon nanodots

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) as an optical device to concentrate light from large areas illuminated by sunlight into small-area photovoltaic cells, can greatly reduce the cost of solar energy generation, thus showing promise in building-integrated photovoltaics. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel type of composite nanoparticle via the simple sol-gel method. Starting from hydroxyl-rich carbon nanodots (CDs), Rhodamine B (RhB) molecules were embedded into a silica matrix shell, forming a composite core-shell system, where the CDs represent the core and RhB embedded in SiO2 are the shell of the final CDs/RhB@SiO2 structure. These nanoparticles were successfully employed in high-performance LSC fabrication. The Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET) between the CDs and the dye was successfully exploited to improve the light absorption efficiency and power conversion efficiency (ηPCE) of LSC devices. The solid-state photoluminescence quantum yield of the as-synthesized composite nanoparticles can reach ∼ 57 % due to the effective suppression of the aggregation-induced quenching. These fluorescent composite nanoparticles were used for fabricating LSC devices with an ultrahigh ηPCE of ∼ 3.8 % for 5 × 5 cm2 devices, thanks to the high loading of luminophores and effective FRET.

Enhancing Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Power Forecasting with a Hybrid Conditional Generative Adversarial Network Framework

This paper presents a novel framework that integrates Conditional Generative Adversarial Networks (CGANs) and TimeGAN to generate synthetic Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) power data, addressing the challenge of data scarcity in this domain. By incorporating time-related attributes as conditioning information, our method ensures the preservation of chronological order and enhances data fidelity. A tailored learning scheme is implemented to capture the unique characteristics of solar power generation, particularly during sunrise and sunset. Comprehensive evaluations demonstrate the framework’s effectiveness in generating high-quality synthetic data, evidenced by a 79.58% improvement in the discriminative score and a 13.46% improvement in the predictive score compared to TimeGAN. Moreover, integrating the synthetic data into forecasting models resulted in up to 23.56% improvement in mean absolute error (MAE) for BIPV power generation predictions. These results highlight the potential of our framework to enhance prediction accuracy and optimize data utilization in renewable energy applications.

PV on façades: A financial, technical and environmental assessment

As roof space has become increasingly occupied, facades serve as an alternative for deploying PV, often in the form of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). In this study, a comprehensive analysis over multiple years of the value of integrating PV on facades with different configurations is provided. The comparison comprises financial, technical and environmental metrics and spans the Dutch and German electricity sector. As expected, due to the much higher yield of optimally oriented PV, it generates higher revenues and reduce more CO2 emissions than facade PV. Over the course of five years of this study, south, east, and west facades reduce 1725, 1492, 1335 kg of CO2 emission per kWp of PV installation, while this is 2434 for the optimally oriented PV. However, analyzing the value factor of PV-generated electricity shows east and west facade are increasingly generating more economic value compared to optimally-oriented PV: the value factor or capture rate of optimally-oriented PV decreased to 0.73 in 2023, whereas the value factor for east facade and west facade remained higher (0.87 and 0.84, respectively). From a technical viewpoint, facade PV results in much higher self-consumption ratios 42% for east facade, 46% for west facade, compared to only 30% for optimally-oriented (all 1 kWp installed per 1 MWh demand). Concluding, facade PV, while having a much lower yield than optimally oriented PV, does hold some significant advantages over optimally-oriented PV – mainly in technical terms and in economic terms. Therefore, facade PV can be seen as a very promising option for the PV sector in general, and the BIPV sector specifically – especially in a more and more congested electricity grid.

Integration of PV Systems into the Urban Environment: A Review of Their Effects and Energy Models

Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) consist of PV panels that are integrated into a building as part of its construction. This technology has advantages such as the production of electricity without necessitating additional land area. This paper provides a literature review on recent developments in urban building energy modelling, including tools and methods as well as how they can be used to predict the effect of PV systems on building outdoor and indoor environments. It is also intended to provide a critical analysis on how PV systems affect the urban environment, both from an energy and a comfort point of view. The microclimate, namely the urban heat island concept, is introduced and related to the existence of PV systems. It is concluded that urban building energy models (UBEMs) can be effective in studying the performance of PV systems in the urban environment. It allows one to simultaneously predict building energy performance and microclimate effects. However, there is a need to develop new methodologies to overcome the challenges associated with UBEMs, especially those concerning non-geometric data, which lead to a major source of errors, and to find an effective method to predict the effect of PV systems in the urban environment.

Energy and Daylighting Performance of Kinetic Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) Façade

Energy and Daylighting Performance of Kinetic Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) Façade

Thermal management enhancement of building-integrated photovoltaic systems using coupled heat pipe and evaporative porous clay cooler

The building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panel systems often lead to a notable decline in PV panels efficiency and lifetime due to their temperature rise because of inadequate cooling. This study investigates the performance of innovative cooling strategy of using a coupled heat pipes and porous clay cooler and compare it with other related three BIPV cooling systems configurations including a conventional BIPV cooling with and without air gap and a pure evaporative porous clay cooling. The aim is to improve the PV panel cooling, ultimately reduce the PV temperature and enhance the overall performance of the BIPV system as well as reducing the building indoor temperature and boosting energy efficiency within the building. The system model, comprising sets of transient equations for the different system configurations, was solved using MATLAB and confirmed with previous experimental findings. The results indicate that comparing with the traditional BIPV system, using BIPV/Clay cooling systems and the hybrid BIPV/Clay-heat pipe cooling systems achieved peak PV temperature reductions of up to 14 °C and 14.7 °C, respectively. Additionally, these cooling methods led to a maximum interior room temperature reduction of approximately 14 °C and an average decrease of 8 °C. Moreover, the hybrid BIPV/Clay-heat pipe cooling system demonstrates superior performance compared to traditional BIPV system, achieving the highest improvements in PV electrical efficiency, output power, and exergy efficiency, with gains of 7.8 %, 6.4 %, and 8.4 %, respectively. Further, when the hybrid BIPV/Clay-heat pipe cooling system was employed, the clay cooling efficiency and clay exergy efficiency values improved on average by 30.2 % and 29.7 %, respectively, compared to the BIPV/Clay cooling system in addition to the increase of the lifetime of the PV panels due to isolating it from the contact with the water/water vapor of the clay cooling system. However, this hybrid approach resulted in a rise in electricity production costs from 0.077 $/kWh to roughly 0.138 $/kWh and extended the payback time from 7.38 years to 13.6 years. But, despite its initial economic drawbacks, the hybrid BIPV/Clay-HP cooling system demonstrates considerable effectiveness and long lifetime compared to other cooling configurations.

Energy-Saving Potential of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Technology Applied to a Library in Changsha, China

With the increasing number of public buildings worldwide, their energy consumption has garnered significant attention. This study aims to promote building energy efficiency and emission reduction by exploring the application of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic technology in library retrofitting. Using a library in Changsha City as a case study, we conducted an energy consumption analysis of the building’s envelope and identified the window section as the highest energy consumer. We proposed a novel improvement scheme—the sun-shading photovoltaic panel (which shades the sun while generating electricity). Additionally, we utilized the roof space for the installation of conventional photovoltaic panels. Simultaneously, the primary objective of this paper was to derive a renovation strategy for public buildings in regions characterized by high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures based on the renovation case of this library. This paper comprehensively investigates the length and angle of sun-shading photovoltaic panels facing different directions, as well as the azimuth angle, tilt angle, and installation spacing of the conventional photovoltaic panels on the roof. Two retrofitting schemes were proposed. Through simulation and comparison, the second scheme was found to reduce the annual electricity consumption by 1,233,354 kWh, achieving a 35.4% decrease compared to the original building. Using the Changsha library as a template for public buildings, this study provided a retrofitting approach with Building-Integrated Photovoltaic technology via DesignBuilder, which could be extended to other geographic locations. The results demonstrated the significant energy-saving effects of the proposed retrofitting scheme.

Advanced Materials for Solar Cell Technology and Energy Simulation

As global climate change intensifies, a pivotal shift towards renewable energy sources becomes imperative. Given its adaptability and efficacy, solar cell technology stands out as a frontrunner in the quest to combat environmental degradation. With the vast expanse of buildings occupying significant portions of the urban landscape, integrating photovoltaics into building design is a timely necessity. Before embarking on tangible installations, conducting an energy simulation proves invaluable in gauging a building's energy requirements, ensuring cost and time efficiency. This paper delves into the advanced materials employed in solar cell technology and undertakes an energy simulation for a photovoltaic module. Building-Integrated Photovoltaics is not just an innovative leap in harnessing solar energy but also symbolizes the synergy between architectural design and energy production. By fine-tuning system operations and comprehending external factors, Building-Integrated Photovoltaics points to a future where energy solutions are both sustainable and tailored to a wide range of applications.

Influence of Ti Layers on the Efficiency of Solar Cells and the Reduction of Heat Transfer in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics

This study examined the potential application of metallic coatings to mitigate the adverse effects of ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) light on photovoltaic modules. Titanium coatings were applied on low-iron glass surfaces using magnetron sputtering at powers of 1000, 1250, 1500, 1750, 2000, and 2500 W. The module with uncoated glass served as a reference. The Ti layer thickness varied from 7 nm to 20 nm. Transmittance and reflectance spectra were used to calculate visible light transmittance Lt, UV light transmittance Ltuv, solar transmittance g, and visible light reflectance Lr. The obtained parameters indicated that the thinnest Ti layer (1000 W) coating did not significantly affect light transmittance, but thicker layers did, altering the Lt, g, and Lr factors. However, every sample noticeably changed Ltuv, probably due to the natural formation of a UV-reflective thin TiO2 layer. The differences in fill factor (FF) were minimal, but thicker coatings resulted in lower open-circuit voltages (Uoc) and short-circuit currents (Isc), leading to a reduction in power conversion efficiency (PCE). Notably, a Ti coating deposited at 2500 W reduced the power of the photovoltaic module by 78% compared to the uncoated sample but may protect modules against the unwanted effects of overheating.

Red-color-modulated perovskite solar cells with copper(I) thiocyanate/cellulose acetate–based distributed Bragg reflectors

Abstract This study investigates the development of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) equipped with distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) through a coating-based fabrication technique. The incorporation of DBRs enhanced the esthetic appeal and improved the light absorption properties of PSCs, rendering them suitable for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). The DBRs, composed of 3–11 layers of copper(I) thiocyanate and cellulose acetate, exhibited peak reflectance at 700 nm. However, as the number of DBR layers increased, there was a corresponding decrease in short-circuit current density (Jsc) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) due to greater light reflection. Specifically, compared with PSCs without DBRs, those with 11-layer DBRs showed 41.2% and 39.0% reduction in Jsc and PCE, respectively. Despite these reductions, this study highlights the potential of colored PSCs for practical BIPV applications, achieving a balance between esthetics and efficiency.

Optimization of coupling phase-change materials and thermal screens in façade-integrated hybrid photovoltaic collectors for optimal energy production and thermal comfort in buildings

The operation of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems gives rise to a significant proportion of the solar radiation absorbed by the cells being unable to be converted into electricity. This phenomenon consequently increases the temperature. This temperature increase impacts the cells' electrical efficiency, leading to a reduction in their performance and accelerating their degradation. The combination of phase-change materials with insulating fluid blades, situated behind photovoltaic cells, represents a passive cooling solution that optimizes the performance of hybrid photovoltaic systems when incorporated into facades. The present study assesses a system that incorporates paraffin as a PCM and an argon layer in a PV-PCM-argon layer physical model (PVT/ArPCM), in comparison with a PV-PCM system (PVT/PCM), to enhance the thermoelectric performance of photovoltaic systems mounted on façades while ensuring optimal thermal comfort within buildings. The discrete heat transfer equations were solved using the Thomas algorithm and the iterative Gauss-Seidel method in conjunction with the implicit finite difference method. The findings illustrate that the electrical efficiency experienced only a slight increase, estimated at 0.01%, while there was a notable enhancement in the indoor thermal comfort experienced by occupants, with a 65% improvement observed due to the incorporation of an argon-filled thermal screen. The incorporation of an argon layer led to a minor reduction in temperature of 0.01°C in the photovoltaic cells, resulting in a minimal improvement of 0.014% in electrical power production. The phase-changing material incorporated into PVT/ArPCM demonstrated superior thermal management capabilities in comparison to the same material employed in PVT/PCM.

Effect of Chlorine Inclusion in Wide Band Gap FAPbBr3 Perovskites

AbstractWide bandgap perovskites have recently gained attention owing to their physical properties, versatility, and potential in various optoelectronic devices including LEDs, detectors, and building‐integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). However, BIPV materials must meet conflicting requirements, necessitating high performance, high transparency in the visible spectrum and color neutrality. This study investigates the controlled addition of chlorine in FAPb(Br1‐xClx)3 perovskites to achieve band gaps exceeding 2.4 eV. Increasing chlorine content from xCl = 0.00 to xCl = 0.25 widens the band gap from 2.37 to 2.52 eV, effectively improving the visible light transparency. Advanced characterization techniques including X‐ray diffraction, synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence imaging, and fast transient absorption spectroscopy, complemented by density functional theory, reveal insights into absorption properties, electronic structure, and ultrafast recombination dynamics as a function of the thin film chemical composition. Furthermore, this study evaluates energetic disorder, carrier recombination rates, and non‐radiative losses for different compositions by extracting quantitative parameters such as Urbach energy and quasi‐Fermi level splitting, offering novel insights and guidelines for the design and optimization of emerging photovoltaic (PV) materials. Optimal PV performance metrics are achieved with a wide bandgap bromine perovskite containing 14% chlorine, striking a balance between morphology, transparency, and voltage losses.

Double-Shell Encapsulation of Lead-Free Tin Halide Perovskite for Self-Powered Smart Windows.

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSC) have the potential application in building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV). 0D tin-based perovskites are a promising embedding phosphor in LSC due to the large Stokes shift and high photoluminescence quantum yield. But the instability and uncontrollable crystal growth are severe limiting their successful utilization in device fabrication. To tackle these issues, double-shell encapsulated configurations are presented, soft ligands of hypophosphorous acid and hard-shell of hollow mesoporous silica are simultaneously suppressing the oxidation of Sn2+ and restricting crystal growth within nano-matrix. The stable phosphor is subsequently embedded into LSC for harvesting solar energy and the resulting output power efficiently drives the combined electrochromic glass under natural light. These fabricated devices also offer the self-adaptable switch on/off functionality to regulate light absorption with variable solar irradiation intensity in real time. This approach is anticipated to open new avenues for utilizing lead-free perovskite nanomaterials in self-powered smart windows for BIPV.

Autonomous design framework for deploying building integrated photovoltaics

The advancements in perovskite solar cells present promising prospects for the widespread deployment of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPVs). Finding an efficient and accurate approach is essential to provide deployment strategies for decision support. This study develops an autonomous decision-making design framework for BIPV, including data collection, 3D modeling, and deployment strategy. For data collection, an open-source unmanned aerial vehicle platform is produced to execute an innovation explore-then-exploit algorithm for viewpoints generation and path planning. Subsequently, point cloud models of buildings are generated using a unique deep learning-based multi-view stereo network and then converted into polygonal surface models. Moreover, a novel Grasshopper plugin component is developed to assess the economic performance of various BIPV layouts by life cycle cost analysis. Based on the analysis results, potential BIPV deployment strategies are provided to support the decision-making process. The effectiveness of the framework is validated through its application in an industrial building in Hong Kong, demonstrating a 7.6 % discrepancy in the average annual solar radiation access value. Finally, two BIPV deployment strategies are proposed for the building. This study has significant implications for the design and deployment of PV systems in urban environments, representing an important step towards supporting the transition to sustainable and low-carbon cities.