Experimental validation of an improved concept of building integrated photovoltaic panels

Recent progress in the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive resulted in a significant increase of rooftop PV installations in European buildings. In certain cases the PV installation is extended to cover also south- or west-facing walls byair cooled Building Integrated PV panels (BIPV). The cooling effect maintains a highconversion efficiency of the panels and the heated air may be exploited by the HVAC or service water heating system. Sizing and design of the double façade system is critical to its energetic performance.In this paper, the transient thermal behavior of the basic structural module of a double-skin photovoltaic façade is experimentally investigated in real insolation conditions.Theresults are employed in the validation and further improvement of integration of a BIPV concept to the HVAC system of a building.

► New experimental work on the integration of photovoltaics in a building is presented.
► Measurements were carried out with a prototype PV/T collector (core of BIPV system).
► Flow and heat transfer at the back side of the panels is experimentally assessed.
► The actual PV efficiency values measured do not exceed 9%.
► However, the proposed concept additionally produces heating energy.