Abstract

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technologies are becoming a competitive alternative to traditional claddings as the building industry looks toward renewables for local energy sources. An advancement of the BIPV is the building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV/T) system, which harvests excess heat produced by the photovoltaic panels and transfers it to a medium for useful energy. For application on large scale facades, air-based BIPV/T systems can be used in low temperature applications. However, due to a lack of installation and maintenance guidelines as well as insufficient performance standardization, both technologies have yet to experience widespread implementation. Additionally, tools for determining potential energy generation during the early design phase are complex and not readily available.
This thesis provides a discussion, analysis and comparison of recent advancements in BIPV and BIPV/T systems in order to assess architectural and energy performance considerations for full facade integration. A BIPV/T design methodology was developed based on the investigation of three novel case studies involving both roof and facade applications. Issues of constructability, building envelope requirements, material compatibility, and maintenance were addressed. Subsequently, guidelines for a BIPV/T performance standard were suggested.
Linking this research to the established criteria of current building practices, a BIPV/T prototype was constructed, adopting a conventional curtain wall frame. Base characterization testing was conducted at the Solar Simulator and Environmental Chamber (SSEC) testing facility at Concordia University to assess the prototype’s electrical and thermal performance. Three different flow rates, the use of single or multiple inlets, and two different transparencies of photovoltaic modules were investigated for their effect on system performance. Results from the preliminary testing showed that the use of multiple inlets may increase the thermal output by up to 18%, decrease the peak photovoltaic (PV) temperatures by up to 3°C, and marginally increase the electrical output. While the experiments were a first step in confirming prototype functionality and for model verification purposes, there is a need to further explore the optimization of this design and its application on building typologies through simulation.