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Thermal Comfort Evaluation of Rooms Installed with STPV Windows

Author

Listed:
  • Hao Tian

    (Key Laboratory of Deep Underground Science and Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Wei Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Deep Underground Science and Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Lingzhi Xie

    (Institute of New Energy and Low-carbon Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Zhichun Ni

    (Suzhou Talesun Solar Technologies Co., Ltd., Suzhou 215542, China)

  • Qingzhu Wei

    (Suzhou Talesun Solar Technologies Co., Ltd., Suzhou 215542, China)

  • Xinwen Wu

    (Key Laboratory of Deep Underground Science and Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Wei Wang

    (Key Laboratory of Deep Underground Science and Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Mo Chen

    (Key Laboratory of Deep Underground Science and Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

Abstract

Thermal comfort is an important aspect to take into consideration for the indoor environment of a building integrated with a semi-transparent Photovoltaics (STPV) system. The thermal comfort of units with photovoltaic windows and that of conventional windows, which is an ordinary without PV, were evaluated via on-site tests and questionnaires. Using the thermal comfort investigation of the test rig, the maximum difference in air temperature was found to be around 5 °C between test unit and comparison unit. The predicted mean vote (PMV)–predicted percentage dissatisfied (PPD) value of the test unit was better than that of the comparison unit. It was observed that on sunny days, the PMV value ranged from 0.2 (nature) to 1.3 (slightly warm) in the test unit, and that of the comparison unit was 0.7 (slightly warm) to 2.0 (warm), thereby providing better thermal comfort, especially during mornings. The maximum difference in PPD values was found to reach 27% between the two units at noon. On cloudy days, the difference was negligible, and the thermal sensation between the foot and the head were almost the same. Fifty respondents were asked to complete a carefully designed questionnaire. The thermal sensation of the test unit was better than that of comparison unit, which corresponded with the test results. Thermal, lighting, acoustic, and other environment comfort scores were combined, and the acceptance of the test unit with the STPV windows was found to be 73.8%. The thermal sensation difference between men and women was around 5%. Thus, during summer, STPV windows can improve the thermal comfort and potentially reduce the air-conditioning load.

Suggested Citation

  • Hao Tian & Wei Zhang & Lingzhi Xie & Zhichun Ni & Qingzhu Wei & Xinwen Wu & Wei Wang & Mo Chen, 2019. "Thermal Comfort Evaluation of Rooms Installed with STPV Windows," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-15, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:5:p:808-:d:209878
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wei Wang & Wei Zhang & Lingzhi Xie & Yupeng Wu & Hao Tian & Lin Zheng, 2018. "Experimental Assessment of the Energy Performance of a Double-Skin Semi-Transparent PV Window in the Hot-Summer and Cold-Winter Zone of China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Park, K.E. & Kang, G.H. & Kim, H.I. & Yu, G.J. & Kim, J.T., 2010. "Analysis of thermal and electrical performance of semi-transparent photovoltaic (PV) module," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(6), pages 2681-2687.
    3. Cristina Cornaro & Ludovica Renzi & Marco Pierro & Aldo Di Carlo & Alessandro Guglielmotti, 2018. "Thermal and Electrical Characterization of a Semi-Transparent Dye-Sensitized Photovoltaic Module under Real Operating Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Nuria Martín-Chivelet & Juan Carlos Gutiérrez & Miguel Alonso-Abella & Faustino Chenlo & José Cuenca, 2018. "Building Retrofit with Photovoltaics: Construction and Performance of a BIPV Ventilated Façade," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-15, July.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Zhong, Jianmei & Zhang, Wei & Xie, Lingzhi & Zhao, Oufan & Wu, Xin & Zeng, Xiding & Guo, Jiahong, 2023. "Development and challenges of bifacial photovoltaic technology and application in buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).

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