Abstract

The cost effectiveness of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems is improved when they are integrated in the building envelope because a separate support and framing structure is not required. This thesis studies the performance of a façade section with PV modules forming the exterior façade layer and air being drawn into the façade behind the panels with the aid of a fan. The overall energy efficiency of the system may further be improved by passing outdoor air behind them to cool them and using this heated air in the building HVAC system. An added benefit of cooling the PV module with outside air is improvement of electrical conversion efficiency. A two-dimensional network model with control volume finite difference method (CVFDM) is developed. Two-dimensional nodal equations are developed for PV module, air and back panel control volumes. The upwind differencing scheme is used to obtain the control volume equations for the air control volumes. Automatic formulation of the thermal network equations is also presented. Solution results from two-dimensional CVFDM are compared with a one-dimensional analytical solution. Experimental study is done in PV module test section in an outdoor test room. Current-voltage characteristics of PV modules are established with indoor solar simulator prior to their installation in an outdoor test room. Good agreement is obtained between one-dimensional, two-dimensional network model and experimental results.