Performance of BIPV modules under different climatic conditions

Abstract

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology has gained attention as a solution to achieve low energy buildings. However, unlike conventional PV applications, BIPVs typically operate at non-optimal orientation, imposed by the building geometry. Moreover, the building integration reduces the heat exchange to the exterior, leading to higher temperatures. This paper investigates the performance of BIPV modules in different locations by simulating a representative office room in a high-rise building having a BIPV facade. The locations considered are Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Seville (Spain), Naples (Florida, USA), Cape Town (South Africa), and Munich (Germany). The facade is vertical and faces the equator for all locations. Results show the highest annual BIPV energy yield occurs in Seville, followed by Cape Town, Riyadh, and Naples. In terms of monthly yields, the highest values are observed in Riyadh and Seville in wintertime. Monthly yield is more uniform over the year in Munich, while important differences between summer and winter have been obtained for Riyadh. These results confirm the influence of the latitude on the BIPV yield, with equator-facing facades in high latitudes receiving up to 40 % less irradiation compared to a horizontal surface, with important reductions especially in the summer. In these locations, the use of west and east facades may be necessary to achieve a balanced profile over the year. Moreover, the highest average cell temperatures occur in Riyadh, Naples and Seville, while lowest temperatures are verified in Cape Town and Munich, which is consistent with the corresponding ambient temperatures. Finally, with lower BIPV temperatures and relatively high solar irradiation, Cape Town achieves the highest performance ratio (PR) values. Conversely, the combination of high solar irradiation and high temperatures leads to lower PR values in Riyadh and Seville.