Performance assessment of the curved-type multi-channel PV roof for space-heating and electricity generation in winter

The curved-type PV roof integrated with flexible PV tiles is a novel attempt to implement the building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal technology into diverse genres of architectural design. To explore its performance in the function of electricity generation and space-heating, different ventilation configurations of the air channels are adopted in the design of the multi-air-channels of the system; two working modes (fresh-air-heating - FAH and recirculated-air-heating - RAH) are applied in the system's operation. The case study is based on a residential building linked with the system in Hefei, China. The performance assessment is conducted on a typical sunny winter day and through the winter of the Typical Meteorological Year. The investigation results indicate that RAH mode has the potential to raise the indoor air temperature to a greater extent. However, the electrical power output shows a disadvantage due to the relatively poor PV cooling effect; increasing the connection air channels could enhance the indoor air heating but add the fan power consumption. The prediction throughout winter manifests that the all-in-parallel connection produces 1827.63 kWh (FAH) and 1574.55 kWh (RAH) of total energy, whereas the 6-in-series connection produces 2085.91 kWh (FAH) and 1618.99 kWh (RAH).