Passive and active performance assessment of building integrated hybrid solar photovoltaic/thermal collector prototypes: Energy, comfort, and economic analyses

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) 2020-10, Vol.209, p.118435, Article 118435
• Main Authors: Barone, Giovanni, Buonomano, Annamaria, Forzano, Cesare, Giuzio, Giovanni Francesco, Palombo, Adolfo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Building-integrated solar systems; Cost analysis; Cost control; Dynamic energy simulation; Economic analysis; Energy; Energy conservation; Multistory buildings; Passive effects; Performance assessment; Photovoltaic thermal collectors; Photovoltaics; Prototypes; Residential buildings; Solar energy; Solar system; System effectiveness; Weather
• ISSN: 0360-5442; 1873-6785
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.118435

Solar systems represent a viable way to reduce in a sustainable manner building energy consumptions. Nevertheless, two issues can be underlined: insufficient building surface areas for hosting typical stand-alone solar devices and related high initial costs. Consequently, growing research and industrial interest in cost-effective building-integrated solar systems is today observed. In this framework, this paper presents a comprehensive analysis of two low-cost building-integrated hybrid photovoltaic/thermal collector prototypes (water- and air-cooled, respectively). Both active and passive effects are investigated employing a purposely developed dynamic simulation tool, able to carry out complete system performance analyses. The capability of such the proposed innovative devices as well as of the presented in-house code is shown by a novel case study regarding a dwelling unit located into a multi-story residential building for three diverse European weather zones. Here, the investigated prototypes are modelled as integrated into the building South façade. For comparison purposes, a building integrated photovoltaic panel is also modelled as a reference case. Both active and passive effects are assessed. Relevant energy savings (up to 4236 kWhe/y), comfort outcomes (related hours variation range from −190 to +121), and economic results (paybacks are between 3 and 6 years) are achieved. •Novel low-cost building integrated photovoltaic thermal collectors are presented.•A dynamic simulation tool for the prototypes analysis is developed and validated.•Thermal energy and electricity production are estimated by using the developed tool.•Analyses of the prototypes building integration passive effects are performed.•Energy, economic and indoor thermal comfort analyses have been conducted.