Building integrated photovoltaic facades: challenges, opportunities and innovations

Thin-film photovoltaic technology has begun to be applied in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs), and it is believed that thin-film photovoltaic technology has potential in building-integrated photovoltaic applications. In this paper, a hybrid approach was investigated which combined the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm of three-stage variable step size with continuous conduction mode (CCM)/discontinuous current mode (DCM). The research contents of this paper include the principle analysis of the maximum power point tracking algorithm, the design of the sampling period, and the design of a double closed-loop control system and correction factor. A system model was built in MATLAB/Simulink, and a comparative simulation was carried out to compare the performance of the proposed method with some traditional methods. The simulation results show that the proposed approach has the ability to fast-track and make the system run stably. Furthermore, it can make the system respond quickly to environmental changes. An experimental platform was built, and the experimental results validated and confirmed the advantages of the proposed method.

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Annual performance evaluation of thermoelectric generator-assisted building-integrated photovoltaic system with phase change material

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews ◽

10.1016/j.rser.2021.111085 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 145 ◽

pp. 111085

Author(s):

Jinyoung Ko ◽

Jae-Weon Jeong

Keyword(s):

Performance Evaluation ◽

Phase Change ◽

Phase Change Material ◽

Thermoelectric Generator ◽

Photovoltaic System ◽

Building Integrated Photovoltaic ◽

Change Material

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Visual Comfort Analysis of Semi-Transparent Perovskite Based Building Integrated Photovoltaic Window for Hot Desert Climate (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14041043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 1043 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Aritra Ghosh ◽

Abdelhakim Mesloub ◽

Mabrouk Touahmia ◽

Meriem Ajmi

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Office Building ◽

Transmission Range ◽

Transmission Spectra ◽

Visual Comfort ◽

Building Integrated Photovoltaic ◽

Transparent Windows ◽

Desert Climate

Buildings consume considerable amount of energy to maintain comfortable interior. By allowing daylight, visual comfort inside a building is possible which can enhance the occupant’s health, mood and cognitive performance. However, traditional highly transparent windows should be replaced with semitransparent type window to attain a comfortable daylight inside a building. Evaluation of visual comfort includes both daylight glare and colour comfort analysis. Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) type windows are promising systems and can possess a range of semitransparent levels depending on the type of PV used. In this work, the semitransparent Perovskite BIPV windows was investigated by employing daylight glare analysis for an office building located in Riyadh, KSA and three wavelength dependent transmission spectra for colour comfort analysis. The results showed that the transmissions range between 50–70% was optimum for the comfortable daylight for south facing vertical pane BPV-windows. However, excellent colour comfort was attained for the transmission range of 90% which provided glare issues. Colour comfort for 20% transparent Perovskite was compared with contemporary other type of PV which clearly indicated that wavelength dependent transmittance is stronger over single value transmittance.

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Photovoltaic BIPV Systems and Architectural Heritage: New Balance between Conservation and Transformation. An Assessment Method for Heritage Values Compatibility and Energy Benefits of Interventions

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13095107 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 5107

Author(s):

Cristina S. Polo López ◽

Floriana Troia ◽

Francesco Nocera

Keyword(s):

Case Studies ◽

Complete Information ◽

Assessment Method ◽

Architectural Heritage ◽

Historical Building ◽

Improve Energy Efficiency ◽

Building Integrated Photovoltaic ◽

Architectural Language ◽

Guidance Documents ◽

The Aesthetic

This paper proposes to identify an approach methodology for the incorporation of building-integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV) in existing architectural heritage, considering regulatory, conservation and energy aspects. The main objective is to provide information about guidance criteria related to the integration of BIPV in historical buildings and about intervention methods. That will be followed by the development of useful data to reorient and update the guidelines and guidance documents, both for the design approach and for the evaluation of potential future interventions. The research methodology includes a categorization and analysis of European and Swiss case studies, taking into account the state of preservation of the building before the intervention, the data of the applied photovoltaic technology and the aesthetic and energy contribution of the intervention. The result, in the form of graphic schedules, provides complete information for a real evaluation of the analyzed case studies and of the BIPV technological system used in historical contexts. This research promotes a conscious BIPV as a real opportunity to use technology and a contemporary architectural language capable of dialoguing with pre-existing buildings to significantly improve energy efficiency and determine a new value system for the historical building and its environment.

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