Experimental analysis of the performances of ventilated photovoltaic facades

Abstract

To reach the EU 2030 goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions targets and achieving high-performing buildings, it is mandatory to increase energy generation through renewable sources. In this context, existing and new buildings should be equipped with building-integrated photovoltaic plants (BiPV). However, BiPV system integration into the building envelope could harm the electrical efficiency due to an increase in the temperature of the cells. The purpose of this work is to analyse the performance of BiPV façade naturally ventilated. With this aim, two prototypes of ventilated façade equipped with mono and bifacial PV modules have been realised. The first stage of this research presents the features of these two prototypes, the monitoring system and some preliminary experimental data. In particular, the daily temperatures of the flowing air in the cavity, on the front and the back of mono e bifacial modules are shown, during the investigated days. The observation allowed us to highlight the positive effects of the ventilated air gap, as well as the different behaviour of the two investigated PV facades. Further stages foresee the analysis of these BIPV ventilated facades through fluid dynamics simulations, as well as their electrical performance.