Performance of a Building Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal Concentrator for Facade Applications

Date
2017-09-01
Authors
Piratheepan, M
Anderson, TN
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract

The use of building integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPVT) concentrators is an effective way to harness solar energy within the built environment, particularly for façade applications. However, in order to precisely predict the overall performance of building integrated façade collectors it is crucial to have a validated model that represents such systems. In this study, a combined optical and thermal model was developed to describe the performance of a façade integrated BIPVT solar concentrator system and subsequently was validated with a physical prototype. Using the validated model, it was shown that key parameters such as tube spacing, and thermal conductivity between the solar cell and the absorber have a significant effect on the overall efficiency. Finally, it is suggested that façade integrated BIPVT solar concentrator systems would serve as a complement to roof mounted photovoltaic systems, and that this may be a step towards net zero energy buildings.

Description
Keywords
Building integrated photovoltaic/thermal; Façade; Concentrator; BIPVT
Source
Solar Energy, 153, 562-573.
Rights statement
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in (see Citation). Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. The definitive version was published in (see Citation). The original publication is available at (see Publisher's Version).