Impact/Purpose:

Our project aims to create a “user friendly” software package that may be used to accurately design BIPV systems for use by architects to predict the performance of such systems. This package would allow the user to input their building location and information on surrounding buildings and receive accurate predictions on energy production.

Description:

One of the leading areas of renewable energy applications for the twenty-first century is building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Integrating photovoltaics into building structures allows the costs of the PV system to be partially offset by the solar modules also serving a structural role in the building. Although PV building modules and facades are currently in use around the world, existing design tools for such systems are inadequate in terms of their accuracy and user-friendliness for building designers. Shading and reflection factors are two substantial variables in calculating system energy output. However, existing system design and simulation tools generally omit the effects of reflections from multiple surfaces and shading of solar panels.

URLs/Downloads:

Final Progress Report

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT( ABSTRACT )

Start Date:09/01/2004

Completion Date:05/31/2005

Record ID: 87880

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Related Organizations:

Role :OWNER

Organization Name :VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY

Mailing Address :800 Lancaster Ave

Citation :Villanova

State :PA

Zip Code :19085

Project Information:

Approach :

The project is divided into three phases, including: i) computer modeling of the solar resource available to the BIPV system at different times of the day and year including reflection and shading effects of surrounding buildings; ii) computer modeling of the BIPV system itself; and iii) validation of the computer modeling through comparison of the simulated performance of the system with measurements made on a scaled physical model of the system.

Cost :$7,066.00

Research Component :Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development

Approach :

The project is divided into three phases, including: i) computer modeling of the solar resource available to the BIPV system at different times of the day and year including reflection and shading effects of surrounding buildings; ii) computer modeling of the BIPV system itself; and iii) validation of the computer modeling through comparison of the simulated performance of the system with measurements made on a scaled physical model of the system.

Cost :$7,066.00

Research Component :P3 Challenge Area - Energy

Project IDs:

ID Code :SU831895

Project type :EPA Grant