Grantee Research Project Results

Final Report: Accurate Building Integrated Photovoltaic System (BIPV) Architectural Design Tool

EPA Grant Number: SU831895
Title: Accurate Building Integrated Photovoltaic System (BIPV) Architectural Design Tool
Investigators: Singh, Pritpal , Raskauskas, Mary , Kantamsetti, Shveta , Torres, Vanessa
Institution: Villanova University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 2004 through May 31, 2005
Project Amount: $7,066
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2004) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , Sustainable and Healthy Communities

Objective:

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.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

1. The simulation results of AccuRender matched to those from ECOTECT.
2. The scaled model produced similar shading effects as those in the computer simulations and the output power obtained from the solar panels mounted on the physical model is in close comparison with the computer simulation results.

Conclusions:

Software tools like AutoCAD, AccuRender and ECOTECT are used to model the buildings in an urban development. These models were simulated to estimate the total solar resource available to the BIPV system at different times of the day and year including reflection and shading effects from the surrounding geometry. The results were incorporated into Matlab to estimate the total electrical power generated. The results were verified against a scaled physical model. The 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 was successful.

Proposed Phase II objectives and strategies:

Our Phase II objectives are an extension of what has been completed in Phase I. We plan to approach the next phase through this series of tasks:

1. Further Development of AutoCAD, Accurender, and Ecotect Simulation software;
2. Integration of Matlab and AutoCAD;
3. Energy Production Modeling;
4. Improve Physical Model to Enhance Accuracy in Validation of Simulated Results;
5. and Economic Analysis.

Supplemental Keywords:

sustainable development, renewable energy, pollution prevention, modeling,, Sustainable Industry/Business, RFA, Scientific Discipline, POLLUTION PREVENTION, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Environment, Chemistry and Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, Energy, computer models, energy technology, green building design, alternative energy source, green design, energy conservation, energy efficiency, environmentally conscious design, software design tool, alternative building technology, architectual design, photovoltaics, clean energy

Relevant Websites:

http://www59.homepage.villanova.edu/shveta.kantamsetti/P3-Project.htm Exit
http://www59.homepage.villanova.edu/shveta.kantamsetti/P3-Pictures.htm Exit