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Buildings consume large amounts of energy and semi-transparent building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) has the potential to increase their energy efficiency. BIPV windows affect building energy consumption through solar heat gain, daylighting and electricity production. This study examines six commercially available semi-transparent BIPV windows; f...
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... States Department of Energy [21] which includes various program modules that enable simulating cooling/heating loads, daylighting and photovoltaic systems with repeated accurate results which had been validated through ana- lytical, comparative and empirical tests [22,23]. An illustration of the research methodology for this paper is shown in Fig. ...
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... In order to investigate the influence of the outdoor environment on the energy efficiency of buildings, the thermal parameters of the external walls of a room located within the street canyon were established based on the guidelines provided in Table 2. The remaining walls, including the internal partition walls, were designated as adiabatic boundaries [45,46]. According to the literature review of O'Brien et al. [47], the timetable of building operation was established. ...
The measurement and analysis of the spatial attributes of the street canyon hold significant importance in the advancement of photovoltaic integrated shading devices (PVSDs). This study offers the space aspect ratio index AR (h) as a more efficient method for determining the optimal location for installing PVSDs on building facades in various street canyons. The AR (h) index addresses the limitations of the current quantitative index. This study examined the evolving regulations of indoor thermal conditions, natural lighting, and the performance of PVSDs in various street canyons. It assessed the viability of implementing PVSDs in different canyons and suggested development plans based on the variation law. The findings demonstrated that AR (h) is capable of effectively assessing and directing the implementation of PVSDs. When AR (h) is below 0.6, the shade of surrounding buildings has the least impact on the photovoltaic power output and building energy consumption in various street canyons. In this scenario, the building has the largest yearly energy-saving rate, making it highly ideal for implementing PVSDs on the building façade. In summary, the suitability of the AR (h) index in various street sceneries was assessed, offering valuable insights for the widespread implementation of PVSDs and street planning, thereby optimizing the utilization of solar energy. The findings of this study will be advantageous in diminishing the utilization of non-renewable energy sources in urban areas and mitigating carbon emissions to safeguard the environment.
... The physical properties of windows and doors in the analysis model were assumed to be low-E double-glazed glass with a Solar Heating Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.564, a visible light transmittance of 47.2 %, and a thermal transmittance of 1.760 W/m 2 K [40,41] (Table 1). The main setting conditions for simulation were assumed to be an occupancy density of 0.2 person/m 2 , sensible heat of 65 W/person (watts/person), and a latent heat of 54 W/person [42]. ...
... Buildings in big cities tend to have more façade areas than roof areas, and researchers have promptly identified this largely un-tapped potential of buildings to harvest solar energy [7], which can be achieved through using BIPV windows. The performance of BIPV windows on building energy systems is usually analysed from thermal and optical performance, along with electricity generation [8]. As illustrated in Fig. 1a, the thermal characteristics of BIPV windows directly affect indoor heat gain and therefore the heating/cooling load. ...
... Cross-city comparison studies have found BIPV windows suitable not only for cooling-dominated regions but also for some temperate and cold regions with strong solar potential [16][17][18][19]. A general conclusion from these studies is that the energy savings potential of BIPV windows increases with window coverage, as power generation and cooling energy savings outweigh extra heating and lighting energy consumption [8,[19][20][21][22]. ...
... and visible light transmi ance of 4.17-9.17% [38,39]. The most efficient solar modules in practice, convert into electricity only around 15% of the incident solar radiation. ...
... and visible light transmittance of 4.17-9.17% [38,39]. The most efficient solar modules in practice, convert into electricity only around 15% of the incident solar radiation. ...
High-performance glazing technologies are essential for achieving the occupant comfort and building energy efficiency required in contemporary and future buildings. In real-world applications, glazing façades are selected from a steadily increasing number of glazing technologies. However, the authors could not identify a systematic and comprehensive review and classification of glazing technologies in the literature. This creates a barrier when comparing typologically different glazing technologies and combining multiple technologies in a glazing unit. This paper provides a systematic review and classification of established and emerging glazing technologies based on publications from 2001–2022 which were interpreted following the PRISMA methodology. This study reveals that the majority of high-performance glazing systems used in practice are in multi-layer glazing configurations and that the glazing system performance can focus on including additional and multiple functionalities, which aim at improving overall building performance. It was also found that there is a large potential for improvement of multilayer, evacuated, aerogels, electrochromic, and solar cell glazing by incorporating other technologies or innovative materials in multi-layer glazing units for either improving existing technologies or for the development of new ones. However, their longevity, robustness, and cost affordability should be ensured.
... It is reasonable to install building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) at locations having abundant solar energy to generate a large amount of electricity without taking up precious land in cities. BIPV products can be grouped into four macro-categories [8]: PV-façades [9,10], PV-roofs [11][12][13], PV-windows and overhead glazing [14][15][16], and PV-sunshades [17][18][19][20]. The evaluation of these approaches was traditionally based on simulation software packages or Computer Aided Design (CAD) models, such as EnergyPlus [21][22][23] and PVsyst [24][25][26]. ...
... Thus, various design configurations were developed. Some of them are doubleskin systems with air passing between the two skins for overheating prevention, transparent and semi-transparent PV panels [225][226][227][228][229][230], roof-integrated PV panels, replacing the conventional roof tiles called PV shingles, façade applications for curtain walls, glazing windows applications, and shading elements applications. ...
In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art in hybrid PV-T collectors and the wider systems within which they can be implemented,
and assess the worldwide energy and carbon mitigation potential of these systems. We cover both experimental and computational studies, identify opportunities for
performance enhancement, pathways for collector innovation, and implications of their wider deployment at the solar-generation system level. First, we classify and
review the main types of PV-T collectors, including air-based, liquid-based, dual air–water, heat-pipe, building integrated and concentrated PV-T collectors. This is
followed by a presentation of performance enhancement opportunities and pathways for collector innovation. Here, we address state-of-the-art design modifications,
next-generation PV cell technologies, selective coatings, spectral splitting and nanofluids. Beyond this, we address wider PV-T systems and their applications,
comprising a thorough review of solar combined heat and power (S–CHP), solar cooling, solar combined cooling, heat and power (S–CCHP), solar desalination, solar
drying and solar for hydrogen production systems. This includes a specific review of potential performance and cost improvements and opportunities at the solargeneration
system level in thermal energy storage, control and demand-side management. Subsequently, a set of the most promising PV-T systems is assessed to
analyse their carbon mitigation potential and how this technology might fit within pathways for global decarbonization. It is estimated that the REmap baseline
emission curve can be reduced by more than 16% in 2030 if the uptake of solar PV-T technologies can be promoted. Finally, the review turns to a critical examination
of key challenges for the adoption of PV-T technology and recommendations.
... With the increase in electricity tariffs worldwide and the decrease in the price of PV panels, BIPV systems are becoming cost-effective building materials [10], particularly the semi-transparent BIPV glass panels, which help reduce the power consumption of the building by allowing only a portion (e.g., 40%) of sunlight to enter the building while converting the remaining sunlight to electricity. Commercially available window-glass-based BIPV systems comprise low-emissivity (low-E) thin films in addition to PV panels, which filter and control the spectral components of sunlight, Buildings 2023, 13, 863 3 of 26 leading to high thermal insulation (less cooling/heating energy consumption), in addition to generating on-site energy [11,12]. ...
With the sharp increase in global energy demand, industrial and residential buildings
are responsible for around 40% of the energy consumed with most of this energy portion being
generated by non-renewable sources, which significantly contribute to global warming and environmental hazards. The net-zero energy building (NZEB) concept attempts to solve the global warming
issue, whereby a building will produce, on-site, its required energy demand throughout the year
from renewable energy sources. This can be achieved by integrating photovoltaic (PV) building
materials, called building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules, throughout the building skin,
which simultaneously act as construction materials and energy generators. Currently, architects and
builders are inclined to design a building using BIPV modules due to the limited colors available,
namely, black or blue, which result in a monotonous building appearance. Therefore, there is an
increasing demand/need to develop modern, aesthetically pleasing BIPV green energy products for
the use of architects and the construction industry. This review article presents the current stage
and future goal of advanced building integrated photovoltaic systems, focusing on the aesthetically
appealing BIPV systems, and their applications towards overcoming global challenges and stepping
forward to achieve a sustainable green energy building environment. Additionally, we present the
summary and outlook for the future development of aesthetically appealing building integrated
photovoltaic systems.
... They also noted that the building energy-saving and electricity generation of BIPV window systems vary with the site locations. In Singapore climate conditions, Khai et al. [35] investigated the energy-saving performance of a highly glazed building considering single and double glazing BIPV windows with six different visible light transmittance (VLT) STPV. Their finding indicates that all BIPV window systems outperform when compared to commonly use single, double and low emissivity (Low-E) glazing windows when integrated into a highly glazed building. ...
Building integrated photovoltaic systems are getting popular worldwide due to their building energy conservation properties alongside emission-free electricity generation capabilities. BIPV is a suitable way to generate renewable energy without wasting any land or building space. Bangladesh has set a target to generate a great portion of its electricity from solar energy and has already implemented different photovoltaic applications. However, Bangladesh still has no policy and guidelines to implement BIPV technology in its different types of buildings. In this study, we investigated the energy conservation potentials of three different configurations of semi-transparent CdTe combined building integrated window systems in an office building considering Bangladesh's climate conditions. To investigate the building energy conservation potentials of BIPV window systems, an EnergyPlus-based numerical simulation model was developed and validated with outdoor experiment data. The annual energy simulation results indicate that in all climate conditions, CdTe combined BIPV windows can save ranging from around 30–61% of electricity consumption compared to conventional window systems. Besides, it generate around 270 kWh electricity and ensure indoor daylight illuminance level at 300 lux. Moreover, in all climate conditions, south-faced BIPV windows are more efficient for power generation, but east-faced windows are more efficient to reduce net electricity consumption.
... Two-dimensional model for a ventilated doublesided PV façade [86] A double-pane semi-transparent and transparent building-integrated photovoltaic (T-BIPV) cladding window were evaluated in paper [89], finding that façade orientation, the window-to-wall ratios, and lighting power density did not affect the selection of the ST-and T-BIPV optical properties. In opposite, Ng et al. [90] compared single-pane window, doublepane window, double-pane window with low-e glaze and double-pane window with low-e tinted glass with ST-BIPV systems (six combinations of thin-film and amorphous silicon modules in a single-or double-glass configuration). Results showed that all BIPV systems outperformed conventional windows by reducing the overall energy use, including heating, cooling, lighting, and PV output. ...
Windows are an essential part of building envelopes since they enhance the appearance of the building, allow daylight and solar heat to come in, and allow people to observe outside. However, conventional windows tend to have poor U-values, which cause significant heat losses during the winter season and undesired heat gain in summer. Modern glazing technologies are therefore required to improve thermal resistance and comfort of the occupants, whilst mitigating the energy consumption of buildings. In the present work, a comprehensive review of the numerical investigations of the thermal properties of window systems and glazed buildings partitions is presented. However, the proposed models to predict the thermal performance most often concern only specific cases of window systems related to geometry and used
material solutions, focused on specific physical processes, thus they contain a lot of simplifications, such as omitting the influence of radiation, temperature changes or velocity profiles.
... Up to now, many studies have conducted experiments or simulations to investigate the energy performances of various BIPVs applied in public buildings such as offices and commercial centers upon typical climatic conditions. For STPV integration in specific climate conditions, Poh Khai et al., [4] examined the potential to adopt semi-transparent BIPVs in Singapore represented tropical countries, through the investigation of six amorphous silicon (a-Si) STPV models in different Windowto-Wall Ratios (WWRs) and across all orientations. L. Olivieri et al., [5] analyzed overall energy performances of five a-Si STPV product typologies as applied over a typical medium-sized office building in Madrid, and proposed the energy-saving potential ranges between 18% and 59% for intermediate and large window-to-wall ratios (WWRs). ...
... In this study, seven recently reported STPV modules adopting specific PV glasses have been selected, including one monocrystalline silicon (mc-Si) based [7], one micromorph silicon (μc-Si) based [4], two amorphous silicon (a-Si) based [16], two cadmimum teluride (CdTe) based [10] as well as one perovskite solar cell (PSC) based [35] ones, as shown in Table 4. In order to systematically verify the best energysaving effect can be achieved by different STPV modules under diverse Table 4 The technical data of the seven STPV glass typologies for investigated thermal design zones [4,7,10,16,35]. ...
... In this study, seven recently reported STPV modules adopting specific PV glasses have been selected, including one monocrystalline silicon (mc-Si) based [7], one micromorph silicon (μc-Si) based [4], two amorphous silicon (a-Si) based [16], two cadmimum teluride (CdTe) based [10] as well as one perovskite solar cell (PSC) based [35] ones, as shown in Table 4. In order to systematically verify the best energysaving effect can be achieved by different STPV modules under diverse Table 4 The technical data of the seven STPV glass typologies for investigated thermal design zones [4,7,10,16,35]. ...
Semi-Transparent Photovoltaics (STPVs) have received increasing popularities as they conform to the architectural design trend of large-area glass curtain walls and expand the application scenes of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs). However, their high sensitivities toward extreme thermal and radiation climate conditions as well as the potential key integration scenario--skylights for large footprint buildings, have rarely been highlighted. Meanwhile, in context of the low energy glass application consensus as well as varieties of commercial module typologies with diverse photo-thermal-electrical properties, designers are still in lack of key understandings regarding actual energy performances and appropriate design solutions of STPV integrations upon diversed climate conditions. In this work, the actual energy-saving disparities, occasioned by distinct climate conditions of both thermal design and solar radiation resources, have been investigated in detail through simulation validations over representative large footprint railway station building prototypes. 14 representative cities covering most concerning climate zones, as well as seven STPV modules based on different PV technologies or featured photo-thermal-electrical properties had been examined for their climate responsivenesses. All engaged cities have been re-grouped from the new perspective into four categories (Low, Medium, High, Ultra-high energy-saving beneficial) with corresponding energy-saving rates (ESRs) (<15%, 14%∼20%, 20%∼22%, >24%) to reveal their true energy-saving beneficial potential levels. Design strategies on basis of applicable integration scenarios as well as appropriate module properties and typologies have been proposed corresponding to each reclassified city categories, to achieve the best conjugated energy-saving effects. This research can provide essential knowledge for finalizing STPV integration designs under the premise of a best energy-saving performance, in response to diversified and complicated climate conditions.
