Power Performance Loss Factor Analysis of the a-Si BIPV Window System Based on the Measured Data of the BIPV Test Facility

Abstract

The application of a building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) module to an elevation means that the factors causing performance losses in a BIPV are relatively high compared to a photovoltaic (PV) that is installed at the optimal angle. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the performance loss factors of BIPV and to examine the characteristics of each performance loss factor. Measured data were used to analyze the performance and loss factors (module temperature, dust and soiling, power conditioning system (PCS) standby mode, direct current–alternating current (DC-AC) conversion loss). A performance ratio of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61724 was used to power the generation performance analysis. The impact analysis of each loss factor is analyzed by using difference of the power generation, the module efficiency, irradiation, and the performance ratio according to the existence of a loss factor. The performance ratio analysis result of this BIPV system shows a range of 66.8–69.5%. The range of performance loss due to each loss factor was as follows; module temperature: 2.2–6.0%, dust and soiling: 2.2–23.1%, PCS standby loss: 4.9–15.7%, DC–AC conversion loss: 4.1–8.0%. Because the effects of the loss factors are different depending on the installation conditions, the performance loss of the system should be minimized by taking this into consideration in the design stage in the BIPV.

Performance Evaluation and Optimization of a Building-Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal Solar Water Heating System for Exterior Shading: A Case Study in South China

“…In BIPV systems, PV modules simultaneously serve as building envelope material and power generator, and have been widely used for exterior shading [4,5]. There is a likelihood of performance degradation in a BIPV system due to various factors, including the increase of PV module temperature [6]. Building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV/T) systems can recover the heat from PV modules incorporated with the building envelope, and often utilize air as working fluid [7][8][9].…”

State-of-the-Art Review on the Energy Performance of Semi-Transparent Building Integrated Photovoltaic across a Range of Different Climatic and Environmental Conditions

“…PCS requires the input power to be around 30-50% of the rated power of the PCS to achieve anticipated rates of 94.5% in the DC-AC conversion process. Incompatibility may result in a reduction of around 8% in electrical energy performance [22]. Losses can be avoided by ensuring that system design supports maximum efficiency.…”

“…This irradiation capture inefficiency may undermine the power performance of the solar array in a variety of meteorological and installation conditions. Authors in [22] discovered that, depending on the orientation of the system, somewhere between 4.6% and 15.7% of the annual irradiation may not be used for power generation, due to low levels of irradiation failing to trigger the standby function on the PCS. Figure 3 shows different oriented solar cells systems.…”

“…The combined effect of losses associated with the impact of the Power Conditioning System standby-mode on irradiation capture and DC-AC conversion inefficiencies could be significant [24]. Lee et al [22] demonstrated that an overall performance ratio of no greater than 75% could be anticipated (Figure 3), with capture losses of around 17% and system losses of around 8%, not being out of the question. Optimising the system design to ensure efficiency in the DC-AC conversion process and thereby maximising irradiation capture is likely to have a significant impact on the electrical power performance of the system.…”

Thermal Time Constant of PV Roof Tiles Working under Different Conditions

“…The authors in [6,7] indicate a lack of confirmatory data concerning the efficiency of PV roof tiles, which prevents the popularisation of this technology. The authors in [8][9][10] present different studies on the productivity and energy loss quantities in building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems composed of different photovoltaic items (roof tiles, glass panes, shutters, wall-mounted items etc.). A number of studies have been carried out on methods of PV cell ventilation (when the cells are integrated with a roof or wall), heat removal and their use and impact on the energy efficiency of the system.…”