Performance Improvement for Building Integrated Photovoltaics in Practice: A Review

Abstract

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technologies are promising and practical for sustainable energy harvesting in buildings. BIPV products are commercially available, but their electrical power outputs in practice are negatively affected by several factors in outdoor environments. Performance improvement of BIPV applications requires mitigation approaches based on an understanding of these factors. A review was, therefore, conducted on this issue in order to providing guidance for practical applications in terms of the selection of proper PV technologies, temperature management, solar irradiation enhancement and avoidance of excessive mechanical strain. First, major types of PV cells used in BIPV applications were comparatively studied in terms of their electrical performances in laboratorial and outdoor environments. Second, temperature elevations were widely reported in outdoor BIPV applications, which may cause efficiency degradation, and the mitigation approaches may include air-flow ventilation, water circulation and utilization of phase change materials. The heat collected from the PV cells may also be further utilized. Third, mechanical strains may be transferred to the integrated PV cells in BIPV applications, and their effects on electrical performance PV cells were also discussed. In addition, the power output of BIPV systems increases with the solar irradiation received by the PV cells, which may be improved in terms of the location, azimuth and tilt of the cells and the transmittance of surface glazing. Suggestions for practical applications and further research opportunities were, therefore, provided.

Review of Energy Harvesting for Buildings Based on Solar Energy and Thermal Materials

“…On the Science Direct search platform, a total of 43 articles were found and in the MDPI, 8 articles were selected [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12], all of them fitting into the theme proposed by this research. On other platforms, 22 articles were found using the two selected keywords.…”

“…The transparent electrode is essential to determine the efficiency of energy conversion. Bi-tandem carbon quantum dots are used to adapt the transparent CoSe to a bifacial electrode in solar cells sensitized with dye, thus achieving an energy conversion efficiency of 8.54% in the front and an efficiency of 6.55% in the rear in comparison with 7.87% and 5.03% in non-carbon devices [5,[17][18][19][20][21].…”

“…The roofs have obtained benefits in cooling the building since the solar panels protect the building. Furthermore, the planning for the deployment of photovoltaic panels in outdoor locations with greater solar incidence reached a high value in obtaining energy, reducing the entire building's net energy costs and indicating an equivalent reduction in CO 2 emissions [5,41].…”

State-of-the-Art Technologies for Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Systems

“…Here, the reported results regarding the active effects of the BIPV system are divided into subsections, namely the electricity production of PV; preparation of domestic hot water (DHW) for water-based BIPV systems; and production of hot-air for only air-based BIPV systems. The correct choosing of cooling systems for the PV panels reduces the operating temperatures of PV cells and consequently enhances both the useful life and the PV electric efficiency [172]. The operating temperature of the working fluid passing inside the air cycle-based BIPV system is lower than that maintained by the water cycle-based BIPV system.…”

A New Alternate Method to Reuse Rehashed Edible Oil for the Betterment of Society - Dual Benefit Approach in Photovoltaic Modules

“…The air-cooled PV system has been used as an alternative and cost-effective solution for building an integrated system. The air gap between the module and rooftop can be used for circulating the air to cool the PV module and the preheated air can be used for building thermal requirements [11,12]. Skandalos et al (2021) have investigated the buildingintegrated PV system and utilized the natural air to cool the module [12].…”