Modelling of potential energy savings of solar powered smart windows

The built environment is among the highest energy consuming sectors worldwide. However, buildings have large surface areas that can be used to improve the building energy performance. One example is by integration of photovoltaic systems in roofs and facades, which can reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment. An emerging field that...

Development of an optimizing tool for design of tailored PV modules through Cell To Module (CTM) factor modelling

The advancement of innovative PV technologies has led to an all-time high integration of the same in the urban environment. Furthermore, development of decentralized power systems complements this rise as it supports in-situ power consumption. Due to space availability constraints in urban environments and a need for appealing aesthetics,...

Thermal and Electric Performance of PV/T Solar Chimney System

The residential and service sectors are responsible for the 39% of the total energy consumption. 80% of this energy is used for heating purposes. Achieving nearly zero energy buildings is a major goal for the near future. The design of an integrated electrical and thermal system can substantially help to reach such objective. The façade is the...

Complete Performance Model of Optic Filters for PV Applications

Building energy consumption is one of the highest of any sector. Building integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) have the potential to eventually contribute to 50%-70% of the total energy demand. However, one of the main barriers that hinder the acceptance of solar energy systems as an integrated part in the buildings’ envelope is the limited...

Enhancing Solar Energy Integration with Innovative mini-modules

As solar energy finds its way into unexpected applications such as buildings or objects, the traditional rectangle-shaped module becomes inadequate. Although traditional modules have been optimized to deliver a large amount of power, they cannot be fitted easily into a façade or a wearable. This is why, new methods for integrating solar power...

Phase Change Materials for thermal management of PV modules

Whilst research in solar cell materials lead to higher efficiencies every year, new difficulties arise with every breakthrough to get an even higher efficiency. Therefore, every component of a PV system should be examined, as well as how their behaviour under operation affects performance to improve the overall PV yield. In particular the...

Colored PV modules based on Interference Filters

Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) has the potential to play a major role in the ongoing transition towards nearly zero energy buildings. However, the BIPV market is still a niche market, representing only 1% of the global PV share. One of the main barriers that hinder the deployment of BIPV is the lack of aesthetic flexibility. Architects...

Infrared optical filters for passive cooling of crystalline silicon modules