Analysis and design of air ventilated building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system incorporating phase change materials. (15th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kant, K.; Pitchumani, R.; Shukla, A.; Sharma, A.
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 196(2019)
• Page Start: 149
• Page End: 164
• Publication Date: 2019-09-15
• Subjects: BIPV -- Phase change materials -- Thermal modeling -- Numerical analysis -- Optimization; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2019.05.073
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Highlights: Presents a thermal model to simulate a BIPV/PCM system for actual irradiance conditions. Presents the effects of design parameters on BIPV/PCM performance. Presents optimum design that maximizes energy generation while limiting maximum temperature. Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) coupled with phase change materials (PCM) (BIPV/PCM) provide opportunities for reducing the photovoltaic (PV) panel temperature to increase the overall efficiency of the BIPV, while also transferring the extracted heat for building energy load management. A comprehensive numerical study is conducted to simulate the effects of different BIPV design parameters namely, BIPV height ( H ), air gap between BIPV/PCM and wall ( δ Air ), PCM thickness ( δ PCM ), and air mass flow rate ( m ̇ ) on the maximum PV panel temperature, the power production by the PV, and the energy extracted by the air. Optimum BIPV/PCM designs are derived from the studies for three different phase change materials, with the goal of maximizing the total energy from photovoltaics ( EPV ) and extracted heat ( Eair ), subject to the constraint of keeping the maximum PV panel temperature to within acceptable values. From the obtained results it is concluded that for the selected range of parameters, the optimum values of δ PCM, H, δ Air and m ̇ are, respectively, 0.04 m, 3 m, 0.02 m and 0.18 kg/s for maximizing EPV and 0 m, 3 m, 0.08 m and 0.091 kg/s for maximizing Eair without any constraints.