Semi-transparent PV windows: A study for office buildings in Brazil

This research aims to develop a methodology for the evaluation of the potential energy saving and energy generation of semi-transparent PV windows in Brazilian office buildings. The evaluation is based on computer simulations: a daylighting simulation for the investigation of the available annual daylight with different window systems using Daysim/Radiance program and the simulation of the energetic performance using the program EnergyPlus. The simulations were accomplished for two cities in two different climatic zones of Brazil and compared to a German city. The results show that it is possible to reduce the energy consumption for artificial lighting and air-conditioning using appropriate control systems and furthermore to generate energy using semi-transparent photovoltaic panels in windows. Though only one building geometry was analyzed the results suggest that the potential of this technology is high in Brazil.