IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v294y2024ics0360544224000227.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Development of a comprehensive method to estimate the optical, thermal and electrical performance of a complex PV window for building integration

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Xue
  • Sun, Yanyi
  • Liu, Xiao
  • Ming, Yang
  • Wu, Yupeng

Abstract

Increasing concerns over energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings have contributed to the emerging of innovative PV glazing technologies to improve the building energy performance. However, some of these glazing systems have complex structures, making it challenging to investigate their optical, thermal and electrical performance for estimating their energy saving potential in buildings. In this research, a validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) combined with a ray-tracing model has been developed to accurately predict the optical, thermal and electrical performance of complex PV glazing systems under varying incident angles. A ray-tracing model is developed to calculate the light transmittance of the window and the solar energy absorbed by each solid element and PV cells. To estimate temperature profiles (e.g., PV temperature and window temperature) and secondary heat within the window, the results from the ray-tracing analysis, which detail the solar flux absorbed by each layer, are inputted into a validated CFD model as boundary conditions. Using the CFD combined ray-tracing calculation illustrated above, the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of these complex PV window systems can be obtained. Furthermore, a PV modelling algorithm is developed to predict the power output based on the simulated PV temperature. This procedure is implemented to investigate a Crossed Compound Parabolic Concentrator Photovoltaic (CCPC-PV) window, which serves as an example of a complex PV glazing system in this study. The developed optical, thermal and electrical models have been validated through experimental tests. Additionally, new configurations have been designed to explore the impact of the pitch between adjacent optics on the SHGC and power output of the window. The results show that the original window (1.77 mm-pitch) possesses the maximum PV temperature of 64.73 °C and the maximum window inside surface temperature of 61.58 °C under National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) standard. Meanwhile the PV efficiency is 15.21 % and the SHGC is 0.463. The SHGC value of this innovative PV window is notably lower than that of a conventional double-glazed window, which has a SHGC value of 0.813. This reduction in SHGC decreases the likelihood of overheating issues, especially during the summer months.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Xue & Sun, Yanyi & Liu, Xiao & Ming, Yang & Wu, Yupeng, 2024. "Development of a comprehensive method to estimate the optical, thermal and electrical performance of a complex PV window for building integration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:294:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224000227
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.130251
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544224000227
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2024.130251?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Du, Shen & Li, Ming-Jia & Ren, Qinlong & Liang, Qi & He, Ya-Ling, 2017. "Pore-scale numerical simulation of fully coupled heat transfer process in porous volumetric solar receiver," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 140(P1), pages 1267-1275.
    2. Zhang, Yanping & Xiao, Hu & Zou, Chongzhe & Falcoz, Quentin & Neveu, Pierre, 2020. "Combined optics and heat transfer numerical model of a solar conical receiver with built-in helical pipe," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    3. Daabo, Ahmed M. & Mahmoud, Saad & Al-Dadah, Raya K. & Ahmad, Abdalqader, 2017. "Numerical investigation of pitch value on thermal performance of solar receiver for solar powered Brayton cycle application," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 523-539.
    4. Harmathy, Norbert & Magyar, Zoltán & Folić, Radomir, 2016. "Multi-criterion optimization of building envelope in the function of indoor illumination quality towards overall energy performance improvement," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 302-317.
    5. Ghosh, Aritra, 2023. "Investigation of vacuum-integrated switchable polymer dispersed liquid crystal glazing for smart window application for less energy-hungry building," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    6. Li, Xue & Li, Kexin & Sun, Yanyi & Wilson, Robin & Peng, Jinqing & Shanks, Katie & Mallick, Tapas & Wu, Yupeng, 2024. "Comprehensive investigation of a building integrated crossed compound parabolic concentrator photovoltaic window system: Thermal, optical and electrical performance," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    7. Liu, Xiao & Wu, Yupeng, 2021. "Experimental characterisation of a smart glazing with tuneable transparency, light scattering ability and electricity generation function," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
    8. Peng, Jinqing & Lu, Lin & Yang, Hongxing & Ma, Tao, 2015. "Comparative study of the thermal and power performances of a semi-transparent photovoltaic façade under different ventilation modes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 572-583.
    9. Ren, Xiu-Hong & Liu, Run-Zhe & Wang, Yun-He & Wang, Lin & Zhao, Fu-Yun, 2019. "Thermal driven natural convective flows inside the solar chimney flush-mounted with discrete heating sources: Reversal and cooperative flow dynamics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 354-367.
    10. Pu, Jihong & Shen, Chao & Lu, Lin, 2023. "Investigating the annual energy-saving and energy-output behaviors of a novel liquid-flow window with spectral regulation of ATO nanofluids," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    11. Qiu, Changyu & Yang, Hongxing, 2020. "Daylighting and overall energy performance of a novel semi-transparent photovoltaic vacuum glazing in different climate zones," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    12. Field, Edward & Ghosh, Aritra, 2023. "Energy assessment of advanced and switchable windows for less energy-hungry buildings in the UK," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    13. Jorge Luis Aguilar-Santana & Hasila Jarimi & Mariana Velasco-Carrasco & Saffa Riffat, 2020. "Review on window-glazing technologies and future prospects," International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, Oxford University Press, vol. 15(1), pages 112-120.
    14. Peng, Jinqing & Curcija, Dragan C. & Lu, Lin & Selkowitz, Stephen E. & Yang, Hongxing & Zhang, Weilong, 2016. "Numerical investigation of the energy saving potential of a semi-transparent photovoltaic double-skin facade in a cool-summer Mediterranean climate," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 345-356.
    15. Wang, Chuyao & Li, Niansi & Gu, Tao & Ji, Jie & Yu, Bendong, 2022. "Design and performance investigation of a novel double-skin ventilated window integrated with air-purifying blind," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PC).
    16. Mesloub, Abdelhakim & Ghosh, Aritra & Touahmia, Mabrouk & Albaqawy, Ghazy Abdullah & Alsolami, Badr M. & Ahriz, Atef, 2022. "Assessment of the overall energy performance of an SPD smart window in a hot desert climate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).
    17. Wang, Meng & Peng, Jinqing & Li, Nianping & Yang, Hongxing & Wang, Chunlei & Li, Xue & Lu, Tao, 2017. "Comparison of energy performance between PV double skin facades and PV insulating glass units," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 148-160.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wu, Zhenghong & Zhang, Ling & Su, Xiaosong & Wu, Jing & Liu, Zhongbing, 2022. "Experimental and numerical analysis of naturally ventilated PV-DSF in a humid subtropical climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 633-646.
    2. Wang, Chuyao & Ji, Jie & Uddin, Md Muin & Yu, Bendong & Song, Zhiying, 2021. "The study of a double-skin ventilated window integrated with CdTe cells in a rural building," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(PA).
    3. Tiantian Zhang & Meng Wang & Hongxing Yang, 2018. "A Review of the Energy Performance and Life-Cycle Assessment of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-34, November.
    4. Shi, Shaohang & Zhu, Ning & Wu, Shuangdui & Song, Yehao, 2024. "Evaluation and analysis of transmitted daylight color quality for different colored semi-transparent PV glazing," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    5. Luo, Yongqiang & Zhang, Ling & Wang, Xiliang & Xie, Lei & Liu, Zhongbing & Wu, Jing & Zhang, Yelin & He, Xihua, 2017. "A comparative study on thermal performance evaluation of a new double skin façade system integrated with photovoltaic blinds," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 281-293.
    6. Qiu, Changyu & Yang, Hongxing, 2020. "Daylighting and overall energy performance of a novel semi-transparent photovoltaic vacuum glazing in different climate zones," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    7. Peng, Jinqing & Curcija, Dragan C. & Thanachareonkit, Anothai & Lee, Eleanor S. & Goudey, Howdy & Selkowitz, Stephen E., 2019. "Study on the overall energy performance of a novel c-Si based semitransparent solar photovoltaic window," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 854-872.
    8. Qiu, Changyu & Yang, Hongxing, 2022. "Dynamic coupling of a heat transfer model and whole building simulation for a novel cadmium telluride-based vacuum photovoltaic glazing," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    9. Skandalos, Nikolaos & Wang, Meng & Kapsalis, Vasileios & D'Agostino, Delia & Parker, Danny & Bhuvad, Sushant Suresh & Udayraj, & Peng, Jinqing & Karamanis, Dimitris, 2022. "Building PV integration according to regional climate conditions: BIPV regional adaptability extending Köppen-Geiger climate classification against urban and climate-related temperature increases," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    10. Liu, Xingjiang & Shen, Chao & Bo, Rui & Wang, Julian & Ardabili, Neda Ghaeili, 2023. "Experimental investigation on the operation performance of photovoltaic double skin façade in winter," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    11. Shaohang Shi & Ning Zhu, 2023. "Challenges and Optimization of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) Windows: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-30, November.
    12. Wang, Chuyao & Ji, Jie & Yu, Bendong & Zhang, Chengyan & Ke, Wei & Wang, Jun, 2022. "Comprehensive investigation on the luminous and energy-saving performance of the double-skin ventilated window integrated with CdTe cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PB).
    13. Huang, Junchao & Yu, Jinghua & Yang, Hongxing, 2018. "Effects of key factors on the heat insulation performance of a hollow block ventilated wall," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 409-423.
    14. Zhang, Chengyan & Ji, Jie & Ke, Wei & Tang, Yayun, 2024. "Comprehensive performance investigation of a novel thermal catalytic semi-transparent PV double-skin ventilated window integrated with CdTe cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    15. Li, Yilin & Darkwa, Jo & Kokogiannakis, Georgios & Su, Weiguang, 2019. "Phase change material blind system for double skin façade integration: System development and thermal performance evaluation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C), pages 1-1.
    16. Ioannidis, Zisis & Rounis, Efstratios-Dimitrios & Athienitis, Andreas & Stathopoulos, Ted, 2020. "Double skin façade integrating semi-transparent photovoltaics: Experimental study on forced convection and heat recovery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    17. Yu, Bendong & Li, Niansi & Ji, Jie & Wang, Chuyao, 2021. "Thermal, electrical and purification performance of a novel thermal-catalytic CdTe double-layer breathing window in winter," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 313-332.
    18. Wu, Zhenghong & Zhang, Ling & Wu, Jing & Liu, Zhongbing, 2022. "Experimental and numerical study on the annual performance of semi-transparent photovoltaic glazing in different climate zones," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    19. Vassiliades, C. & Agathokleous, R. & Barone, G. & Forzano, C. & Giuzio, G.F. & Palombo, A. & Buonomano, A. & Kalogirou, S., 2022. "Building integration of active solar energy systems: A review of geometrical and architectural characteristics," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    20. Li Zhu & Peng Wang & Yujiao Huo & Wei Tian & Yong Sun & Baoquan Yin, 2022. "Energy Savings Potential of Semitransparent Photovoltaic Skylights under Different Climate Conditions in China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-17, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:294:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224000227. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.