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Optimal design of photovoltaic energy collectors with mutual shading for pre-existing building roofs

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  • Martinez-Rubio, A.
  • Sanz-Adan, F.
  • Santamaria, J.

Abstract

Technological advances in photovoltaic energy and reductions in the costs of photovoltaic (PV) cells make it likely that the roofs and faces of buildings will in the near future be clad with PV materials. These materials will act as insulation (passive efficiency), as a heat source (hot water) and as a source of electricity (active efficiency). This paper proposes a method for determining the most suitable orientation for the location of PV modules with a view to making optimal use of the solar irradiance available. The method can be extrapolated to all types of flat building shell, all orientations and slope angles, all geographical locations and all module sizes and performance efficiencies. It enables best-performing plant to be designed according to the needs of each user (maximum number of hours-equivalent or maximum output). The method is based on an algorithm that calculates the optimum tilt and azimuth angles of PV modules on the basis of estimated data for solar irradiance, PV module shading times and roof characteristics. The results are checked against the outputs of various PV installations currently up and running. This method is a highly useful tool for working towards building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems in urban settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Martinez-Rubio, A. & Sanz-Adan, F. & Santamaria, J., 2015. "Optimal design of photovoltaic energy collectors with mutual shading for pre-existing building roofs," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 666-678.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:78:y:2015:i:c:p:666-678
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2015.01.043
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria-Mar Fernandez-Antolin & José-Manuel del-Río & Roberto-Alonso Gonzalez-Lezcano, 2019. "Influence of Solar Reflectance and Renewable Energies on Residential Heating and Cooling Demand in Sustainable Architecture: A Case Study in Different Climate Zones in Spain Considering Their Urban Co," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-31, November.
    2. Martínez-Rubio, A. & Sanz-Adan, F. & Santamaría-Peña, J. & Martínez, Araceli, 2016. "Evaluating solar irradiance over facades in high building cities, based on LiDAR technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 133-147.
    3. Yadav, Somil & Panda, S.K. & Hachem-Vermette, Caroline, 2020. "Optimum azimuth and inclination angle of BIPV panel owing to different factors influencing the shadow of adjacent building," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 381-396.
    4. Copper, J.K. & Sproul, A.B. & Bruce, A.G., 2016. "A method to calculate array spacing and potential system size of photovoltaic arrays in the urban environment using vector analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 11-23.
    5. Hai Lan & Jinfeng Dai & Shuli Wen & Ying-Yi Hong & David C. Yu & Yifei Bai, 2015. "Optimal Tilt Angle of Photovoltaic Arrays and Economic Allocation of Energy Storage System on Large Oil Tanker Ship," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-16, October.
    6. Yulia V. Daus & Igor V. Yudaev & Michael A. Taranov & Sergey M. Voronin & Vladimir S. Gazalov, 2019. "Reducing the Costs for Consumed Electricity through the Solar Energy Utilization," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 9(2), pages 19-23.
    7. Lovati, Marco & Dallapiccola, Mattia & Adami, Jennifer & Bonato, Paolo & Zhang, Xingxing & Moser, David, 2020. "Design of a residential photovoltaic system: the impact of the demand profile and the normative framework," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 1458-1467.

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