Investigation the Advantages of CPV for Building Integrated PV : 28th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference

Abstract

The objective of this concept is a significant reduction of energy consumption in greenhouses and buildings with large facades and windows by using available solar energy. The scope of this investigation is to study the advantages of a building integrated CPV system. The basic idea is that a larger fraction of the available solar energy can be converted to useful energy, a better indoor climate and higher crop yield (for greenhouses). The building integrated CPV systems as proposed is able to deliver at least four benefits for buildings: Electrical- and thermal energy generation, illumination by using the remaining diffuse light and better indoor climate circumstances which arise by the removal of the energy-rich direct radiation. Yields for the Dutch climate situation are estimated to be 120 kWh/m2 of electrical energy and 300 kWh/m2 thermal energy, which can be used for energy supply and/or operation of an extra cooling system. These figures can be translated in financial benefits: Calculated payback time is six year for the system that is presented here.