Measured Performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Panels

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hunter Fanney ◽  
Brian P. Dougherty ◽  
Mark W. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Photovoltaic Cells ◽  
Performance Data ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
Single Crystalline ◽  
Photovoltaic Panels ◽  
Building Integrated Photovoltaics ◽  
Cell Technologies ◽  
Building Integrated Photovoltaic

Abstract The photovoltaic industry is experiencing rapid growth. Industry analysts project that photovoltaic sales will increase from their current $1.5 billion level to over $27 billion by 2020, representing an average growth rate of 25% [1]. To date, the vast majority of sales have been for navigational signals, call boxes, telecommunication centers, consumer products, off-grid electrification projects, and small grid-interactive residential rooftop applications. Building integrated photovoltaics, the integration of photovoltaic cells into one of more of the exterior surfaces of the building envelope, represents a small but growing photovoltaic application. In order for building owners, designers, and architects to make informed economic decisions regarding the use of building integrated photovoltaics, accurate predictive tools and performance data are needed. A building integrated photovoltaic test bed has been constructed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology to provide the performance data needed for model validation. The facility incorporates four identical pairs of building integrated photovoltaic panels constructed using single-crystalline, polycrystalline, silicon film, and amorphous silicon photovoltaic cells. One panel of each identical pair is installed with thermal insulation attached to its rear surface. The second paired panel is installed without thermal insulation. This experimental configuration yields results that quantify the effect of elevated cell temperature on the panels’ performance for different cell technologies. This paper presents the first set of experimental results from this facility. Comparisons are made between the electrical performance of the insulated and non-insulated panels for each of the four cell technologies. The monthly and overall conversion efficiencies for each cell technology are presented and the seasonal performance variations discussed. Daily efficiencies are presented for a selected month. Finally, hourly plots of the power output and panel temperatures are presented and discussed for the single-crystalline and amorphous silicon panels.

Measured Performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Panels*

2001 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hunter Fanney ◽  
Brian P. Dougherty ◽  
Mark W. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Photovoltaic Cells ◽  
Performance Data ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
Single Crystalline ◽  
Photovoltaic Panels ◽  
Building Integrated Photovoltaics ◽  
Cell Technologies ◽  
Building Integrated Photovoltaic

The photovoltaic industry is experiencing rapid growth. Industry analysts project that photovoltaic sales will increase from their current $1.5 billion level to over $27 billion by 2020, representing an average growth rate of 25%. (Cook et. al. 2000)[1]. To date, the vast majority of sales have been for navigational signals, call boxes, telecommunication centers, consumer products, off-grid electrification projects, and small grid-interactive residential rooftop applications. Building integrated photovoltaics, the integration of photovoltaic cells into one or more of the exterior surfaces of the building envelope, represents a small but growing photovoltaic application. In order for building owners, designers, and architects to make informed economic decisions regarding the use of building integrated photovoltaics, accurate predictive tools and performance data are needed. A building integrated photovoltaic test bed has been constructed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology to provide the performance data needed for model validation. The facility incorporates four identical pairs of building integrated photovoltaic panels constructed using single-crystalline, polycrystalline, silicon film, and amorphous silicon photovoltaic cells. One panel of each identical pair is installed with thermal insulation attached to its rear surface. The second paired panel is installed without thermal insulation. This experimental configuration yields results that quantify the effect of elevated cell temperature on the panels’ performance for different cell technologies. This paper presents the first set of experimental results from this facility. Comparisons are made between the electrical performance of the insulated and non-insulated panels for each of the four cell technologies. The monthly and overall conversion efficiencies for each cell technology are presented and the seasonal performance variations discussed. Daily efficiencies are presented for a selected month. Finally, plots of the power output and panel temperatures are presented and discussed for the single-crystalline and amorphous silicon panels.

Measured Versus Predicted Performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaics

Solar Energy ◽  
2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W. Davis ◽  
A. Hunter Fanney ◽  
Brian P. Dougherty
Keyword(s):  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Silicon Film ◽  
Rear Surface ◽  
Predictive Performance ◽  
Performance Data ◽  
Test Bed ◽  
Photovoltaic Panels ◽  
Building Integrated Photovoltaics ◽  
Curve Tracer ◽  
Building Integrated Photovoltaic

The lack of predictive performance tools creates a barrier to the widespread use of building integrated photovoltaic panels. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created a building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) “test bed” to capture experimental data that can be used to improve and validate previously developed computer simulation tools. Twelve months of performance data have been collected for building integrated photovoltaic panels using four different cell technologies – crystalline, polycrystalline, silicon film, and triple-junction amorphous. Two panels using each cell technology were present, one without any insulation attached to its rear surface and one with insulation having a nominal thermal resistance value of 3.5 m2·K/W attached to its rear surface. The performance data associated with these eight panels, along with meteorological data, were compared to the predictions of a photovoltaic model developed jointly by Maui Solar Software and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), which is implemented in their IV Curve Tracer software [1]. The evaluation of the predictive performance tools was done in the interest of refining the tools to provide BIPV system designers with a reliable source for economic evaluation and system sizing.

Measured Versus Predicted Performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaics

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W. Davis ◽  
A. Hunter Fanney ◽  
Brian P. Dougherty
Keyword(s):  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Silicon Film ◽  
Rear Surface ◽  
Predictive Performance ◽  
Performance Data ◽  
Test Bed ◽  
Photovoltaic Panels ◽  
Building Integrated Photovoltaics ◽  
Curve Tracer ◽  
Building Integrated Photovoltaic

The lack of predictive performance tools creates a barrier to the widespread use of building integrated photovoltaic panels. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created a building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) test bed to capture experimental data that can be used to improve and validate previously developed computer simulation tools. Twelve months of performance data have been collected for building integrated photovoltaic panels using four different cell technologies—crystalline, polycrystalline, silicon film, and triple-junction amorphous. Two panels using each cell technology were present, one without any insulation attached to its rear surface and one with insulation having a nominal thermal resistance value of 3.5m2s˙K/W attached to its rear surface. The performance data associated with these eight panels, along with meteorological data, were compared to the predictions of a photovoltaic model developed jointly by Maui Solar Software and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), which is implemented in their IV Curve Tracer software [1]. The evaluation of the predictive performance tools was done in the interest of refining the tools to provide BIPV system designers with a reliable source for economic evaluation and system sizing.

Measured Performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Panels—Round 2

2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 314-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian P. Dougherty ◽  
A. Hunter Fanney ◽  
Mark W. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Performance Data ◽  
Maximum Power ◽  
Polymer Materials ◽  
Front Panel ◽  
Back Side ◽  
Coverage Area ◽  
Single Crystalline ◽  
Cell Technologies ◽  
Operating Temperatures

Architects, building designers, and building owners presently lack sufficient resources for thoroughly evaluating the economic impact of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is addressing this deficiency by evaluating computer models used to predict the electrical performance of BIPV components. To facilitate this evaluation, NIST is collecting long-term BIPV performance data that can be compared against predicted values. The long-term data, in addition, provides insight into the relative merits of different building integrated applications, helps to identify performance differences between cell technologies, and reveals seasonal variations. This paper adds to the slowly growing database of long-term performance data on BIPV components. Results from monitoring eight different building-integrated panels over a 12-month period are summarized. The panels are installed vertically, face true south, and are an integral part of the building’s shell. The eight panels comprise the second set of panels evaluated at the NIST test facility. Cell technologies evaluated as part of this second round of testing include single-crystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and two thin film materials: tandem-junction amorphous silicon (2-a-Si) and copper-indium-diselenide (CIS). Two 2-a-Si panels and two CIS panels were monitored. For each pair of BIPV panels, one was insulated on its back side while the back side of the second panel was open to the indoor conditioned space. The panel with the back side thermal insulation experienced higher midday operating temperatures. The higher operating temperatures caused a greater dip in maximum power voltage. The maximum power current increased slightly for the 2-a-Si panel but remained virtually unchanged for the CIS panel. Three of the remaining four test specimens were custom-made panels having the same polycrystalline solar cells but different glazings. Two different polymer materials were tested along with 6 mm-thick, low-iron float glass. The two panels having the much thinner polymer front covers consistently outperformed the panel having the glass front. When compared on an annual basis, the energy production of each polymer-front panel was 8.5% higher than the glass-front panel. Comparison of panels of the same cell technology and comparisons between panels of different cell technologies are made on daily, monthly, and annual bases. Efficiency based on coverage area, which excludes the panel’s inactive border, is used for most “between” panel comparisons. Annual coverage-area conversion efficiencies for the vertically-installed BIPV panels range from a low of 4.6% for the 2-a-Si panels to a high of 12.2% for the two polycrystalline panels having the polymer front covers. The insulated single crystalline panel only slightly outperformed the insulated CIS panel, 10.1% versus 9.7%.

Measured Performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaic Panels: Round 2

Solar Energy ◽  
2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian P. Dougherty ◽  
A. Hunter Fanney ◽  
Mark W. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Performance Data ◽  
Maximum Power ◽  
Polymer Materials ◽  
Front Panel ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Coverage Area ◽  
Single Crystalline ◽  
Cell Technologies ◽  
Operating Temperatures

Architects, building designers, and building owners presently lack sufficient resources for thoroughly evaluating the economic impact of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is addressing this deficiency by evaluating computer models used to predict the electrical performance of BIPV components. To facilitate this evaluation, NIST is collecting long-term BIPV performance data that can be compared against predicted values. The long-term data, in addition, provides insight into the relative merits of different building integrated applications, helps to identify performance differences between cell technologies, and reveals seasonal variations. This paper adds to the slowly growing database of longterm performance data on BIPV components. Results from monitoring eight different building-integrated panels over a twelve-month period are summarized. The panels are installed vertically, face true-south, and are an integral part of the building’s shell. The eight panels comprise the second set of panels evaluated at the NIST test facility. Cell technologies evaluated as part of this second round of testing include single crystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and two thin film materials: tandem-junction amorphous silicon (2-a-Si) and copper-indium-diselenide (CIS). Two 2-a-Si panels and two CIS panels were monitored. For each pair of BIPV panels, one was insulated on its backside while the backside of the second panel was open to the indoor conditioned space. The panel with the backside thermal insulation experienced higher midday operating temperatures. The higher operating temperatures caused a greater dip in maximum power voltage. The maximum power current increased slightly for the 2-a-Si panel but remained virtually unchanged for the CIS panel. Three of the remaining four test specimens were custom-made panels having the same polycrystalline solar cells but different glazings. Two different polymer materials, Tefzel and Kynar, were tested along with 6 mm-thick, low-iron float glass. The two panels having the much thinner polymer front covers consistently outperformed the panel having the glass front. When compared on an annual basis, the energy production of each polymer-front panel was 8.5% higher than the glass-front panel. Comparison of panels of the same cell technology and comparisons between panels of different cell technologies are made on daily, monthly, and annual bases. Efficiency based on coverage area, which excludes the panel’s inactive border, is used for most “between” panel comparisons. Annual coverage-area conversion efficiencies for the vertically-installed BIPV panels range from a low of 4.6% for the 2-a-Si panels to a high of 12.2% for the two polycrystalline panels having the polymer front covers. The insulated single crystalline panel only slightly outperformed the insulated CIS panel, 10.1% versus 9.7%.

scholarly journals Numerical analysis of the efficiency and energy production of the building integrated photovoltaics for various configurations

2019 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 03044
Author(s):  
Sebastian Valeriu Hudișteanu ◽  
Cătalin George Popovici
Keyword(s):  
Operating Temperature ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Vertical Position ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Photovoltaic Panel ◽  
Photovoltaic Panels ◽  
Building Integrated Photovoltaics ◽  
Building Integrated Photovoltaic ◽  
Unit Surface ◽  
Continental Climate

The paper presents the analysis of the building integrated photovoltaic panels (BIPV) realized for the same photovoltaic system, placed in different locations, for the continental climate of Romania. For all studied cases, the photovoltaic (PV) system is examined in various vertical configurations, considering the integration into buildings placed in urban agglomerations, characterized by small horizontal surfaces, but generous facades. For the analyzed situations it is assumed that the PV panels are fixed in vertical position. Therefore, one of the possibilities of raising their efficiency consists in controlling the operating temperature of the photovoltaic cells. The operating parameters of the photovoltaic panels are studied in case of integration at 10 m height above the ground and the results are reported on the unit surface. The model and the functioning parameters are processed using TRNSYS software. The results are analyzed for average daily, monthly and yearly values. The results reveal some major differences obtained for the same system placed in different locations or orientations. The average efficiencies for maximum production months are lower than annual ones, while the daily values for efficiency are lowest. These values are directly dependent on the intensity of solar radiation and are negatively influenced by the operating temperature of the photovoltaic panel.

Formation of Large, Orientation-Controlled, Nearly Single Crystalline Si Thin Films on SiO2 Using Contact Printing of Rolled and Annealed Nickel Tapes

2003 ◽  
Vol 762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hwang Huh ◽  
Jung H. Shin
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Thin Films ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Tem Analysis ◽  
Contact Printing ◽  
Single Crystalline ◽  
High Resolution Tem ◽  
Lateral Crystallization ◽  
Si Films

AbstractAmorphous silicon (a-Si) films prepared on oxidized silicon wafer were crystallized to a highly textured form using contact printing of rolled and annealed nickel tapes. Crystallization was achieved by first annealing the a-Si film in contact with patterned Ni tape at 600°C for 20 min in a flowing forming gas (90 % N2, 10 % H2) environment, then removing the Ni tape and further annealing the a-Si film in vacuum for2hrsat600°C. An array of crystalline regions with diameters of up to 20 μm could be formed. Electron microscopy indicates that the regions are essentially single-crystalline except for the presence of twins and/or type A-B formations, and that all regions have the same orientation in all 3 directions even when separated by more than hundreds of microns. High resolution TEM analysis shows that formation of such orientation-controlled, nearly single crystalline regions is due to formation of nearly single crystalline NiSi2 under the point of contact, which then acts as the template for silicide-induced lateral crystallization. Furthermore, the orientation relationship between Si grains and Ni tape is observed to be Si (110) || Ni (001)

scholarly journals State-of-the-Art Review on the Energy Performance of Semi-Transparent Building Integrated Photovoltaic across a Range of Different Climatic and Environmental Conditions

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3412
Author(s):  
Reza Khalifeeh ◽  
Hameed Alrashidi ◽  
Nazmi Sellami ◽  
Tapas Mallick ◽  
Walid Issa
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Energy Losses ◽  
Building Integrated Photovoltaics ◽  
Building Integrated Photovoltaic ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Building Components ◽  
System Properties

Semi-transparent Building Integrated Photovoltaics provide a fresh approach to the renewable energy sector, combining the potential of energy generation with aesthetically pleasing, multi-functional building components. Employing a range of technologies, they can be integrated into the envelope of the building in different ways, for instance, as a key element of the roofing or façade in urban areas. Energy performance, measured by their ability to produce electrical power, at the same time as delivering thermal and optical efficiencies, is not only impacted by the system properties, but also by a variety of climatic and environmental factors. The analytical framework laid out in this paper can be employed to critically analyse the most efficient solution for a specific location; however, it is not always possible to mitigate energy losses, using commercially available materials. For this reason, a brief overview of new concept devices is provided, outlining the way in which they mitigate energy losses and providing innovative solutions for a sustainable energy future.

Amorphous Silicon based Solar Cell Technologies: Status, Challenges, and Opportunities

2004 ◽  
Vol 808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeewa R. Arya
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cell ◽  
Amorphous Silicon ◽  
Commercial Application ◽  
Amorphous Silicon Solar Cell ◽  
Building Integrated Photovoltaic ◽  
Photovoltaic Applications ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Module Development ◽  
Silicon Based ◽  
Conversion Efficiencies

ABSTRACTAdvances in amorphous silicon solar cell and module development over the past two decades has led to widespread commercial application in consumer and building integrated photovoltaic applications (BIPV). The technology has taken two pathways: (i) superstrate and (ii) substrate. Both pathways have unique advantages over crystalline modules and have demonstrated promising stability and reliability with continuous improvement in performance. Multi-junction modules with amorphous and microcrystalline silicon have demonstrated initial conversion efficiencies in the range of 13%-13.5%.

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