STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Journal of Alternate Energy Sources & Technologies

Evaluation of Electrical and Thermal Energy Performance of a Semi-transparent Photovoltaic Module Integrated Double Pane Window System Under Different Air Flow Strategies

  1. Sankar Barman

Abstract

Prudent manoeuvring of waste heat generated in the air cavity of a double pane photovoltaic window can increase thermal output besides improving energy generation. This paper presents the performance of a Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) thin-film semi-transparent photovoltaic (STPV) module integrated double pane window system under three different modes of operation. The modes of operation cover direct and indirect influences of the indoor environment in the cavity air flow. For simulation OPTICS6,WINDOW 7.3 and Energy Plus software have been used. Compared to no-flow conditions, air flows improved the photovoltaic energy generation, and the improvement was found across the modes of operation. Per annum, the maximum energy generation was found to be 98.77 kWh/m2. In terms ofthermal performance, the mode of air flows was found to be more effective. The different operation influences the air mass flow rate as well as the heat transfer from the windowpane at a varying rate. Depending upon the selection of the mode of air flow, the indoor air temperature was found to increase in winter or decrease in the summer season.
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