Experimental and numerical results for a building-integrated photovoltaics test facility

The results of an experimental and simulation study of a double facade with integrated photovoltaic panels are presented and analyzed. The system consists of a double facade with integrated photovoltaic panels at the bottom part. Air enters from the bottom through an intake, gets heated as it flows upwards in the cavity, driven by a fan and buoyancy, and finally enters the HVAC system as preheated fresh air. Experimental and numerical results show that a combined thermal-electric efficiency of the system could exceed 70%. CFD simulations are employed to determine accurately heat transfer coefficients needed for energy calculations.