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Impact of photovoltaic technology and feeder voltage level on the efficiency of façade building-integrated photovoltaic systems

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  • Ravyts, Simon
  • Moschner, Jens D.
  • Yordanov, Georgi H.
  • Van den Broeck, Giel
  • Dalla Vecchia, Mauricio
  • Manganiello, Patrizio
  • Meuris, Marc
  • Driesen, Johan

Abstract

Façade building-integrated photovoltaics is a technology that transforms a passive façade into a distributed, renewable electrical generator by the inclusion of solar cells in the building envelope. Partial shading due to nearby objects is a typical problem for façade building-integrated photovoltaics as it strongly reduces the output power of the installation. Distributed maximum power point tracking by means of embedded converters and a common direct current bus has been proposed to alleviate this issue. However, the bus voltage plays an important role in converter topology selection and overall efficiency, although this is not being covered in literature. Also the influence of the solar cell technology on the output voltage of the module is not studied before, although it strongly influences the converter topology selection and the losses. In this paper, a methodology is described to investigate the influence of the voltage level and solar cell technology by taking conversion losses in the converters and the cabling into account. The methodology is applied to two case study buildings for which four different cell technologies are considered. It is shown that overall high efficiencies are obtained, regardless of the voltage level. However, the loss distribution changes significantly with the voltage. This aspect can be used advantageously to reduce thermal stresses on the embedded converter. Furthermore, the overall system efficiency is typically higher when the voltage step-up is lower.

Suggested Citation

  • Ravyts, Simon & Moschner, Jens D. & Yordanov, Georgi H. & Van den Broeck, Giel & Dalla Vecchia, Mauricio & Manganiello, Patrizio & Meuris, Marc & Driesen, Johan, 2020. "Impact of photovoltaic technology and feeder voltage level on the efficiency of façade building-integrated photovoltaic systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:269:y:2020:i:c:s0306261920305511
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115039
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Spiliotis, Konstantinos & Gonçalves, Juliana E. & Van De Sande, Wieland & Ravyts, Simon & Daenen, Michael & Saelens, Dirk & Baert, Kris & Driesen, Johan, 2019. "Modeling and validation of a DC/DC power converter for building energy simulations: Application to BIPV systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 646-665.
    2. Sorgato, M.J. & Schneider, K. & Rüther, R., 2018. "Technical and economic evaluation of thin-film CdTe building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) replacing façade and rooftop materials in office buildings in a warm and sunny climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 84-98.
    3. Gerber, Daniel L. & Vossos, Vagelis & Feng, Wei & Marnay, Chris & Nordman, Bruce & Brown, Richard, 2018. "A simulation-based efficiency comparison of AC and DC power distribution networks in commercial buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 1167-1187.
    4. Ravyts, Simon & Vecchia, Mauricio Dalla & Van den Broeck, Giel & Yordanov, Georgi H. & Gonçalves, Juliana Emanuella & Moschner, Jens D. & Saelens, Dirk & Driesen, Johan, 2020. "Embedded BIPV module-level DC/DC converters: Classification of optimal ratings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 880-889.
    5. Brito, M.C. & Freitas, S. & Guimarães, S. & Catita, C. & Redweik, P., 2017. "The importance of facades for the solar PV potential of a Mediterranean city using LiDAR data," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 85-94.
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    1. Hallemans, L. & Ravyts, S. & Govaerts, G. & Fekriasl, S. & Van Tichelen, P. & Driesen, J., 2022. "A stepwise methodology for the design and evaluation of protection strategies in LVDC microgrids," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 310(C).

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    Keywords

    BIPV; DC/DC converters; MLC; LVDC;
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