Photovoltaic chimney

Thermal modeling and concept demonstration for integration in buildings

Journal article (2019)

Authors

J.C. Ortiz Lizcano Photovoltaic Materials and Devices - EEMCS
Z. Haghighi Climate Design and Sustainability - Architecture and the Built Environment
Sander Wapperom Student
C.A. Infante Ferreira Engineering Thermodynamics - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
O. Isabella Photovoltaic Materials and Devices - EEMCS
A.A.J.F. van den Dobbelsteen Climate Design and Sustainability - Architecture and the Built Environment
M. Zeman Electrical Sustainable Energy
Research Group
Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (EEMCS) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2019 J.C. Ortiz Lizcano, Z. Haghighi, Sander Wapperom, C.A. Infante Ferreira, O. Isabella, A.A.J.F. van den Dobbelsteen, M. Zeman
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pip.3194
Thermal model Solar chimney PV façade PV integration
More Info
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Published Date

2019

Language

English

Faculty

Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

Department

Electrical Sustainable Energy

Research Group

Photovoltaic Materials and Devices

Abstract

This work presents the concept of a photovoltaic (PV)-powered solar chimney. We modeled and experimentally studied the integration of a PV system within a naturally ventilated façade (NVF), attempting to use the inherent cavity as a ventilation channel to transfer heat. Thermodynamic models were created to study the thermal and, therefore, the electrical performance of a PV system installed at different positions within the cavity of the NVF. An experimental setup of the PV chimney was manufactured to validate the computational models. Results show low root mean square error (RMSE) values for the prediction of the mass flow and the temperature of the different materials considered in the chimney. A basic sensitivity analysis was performed to find the best position of the PV modules within the chimney for a three-story household in the Netherlands. Optimization showed that with a cavity depth of 0.2 m with PV modules located at the front layer, the electric annual yield is maximized. For the same cavity depth, placing the modules in the middle significantly increases heat flow production, albeit with a reduction on electrical performance.