Parameter estimation for ventilated photovoltaic façades

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Abstract
In this paper, the estimation of thermal parameters that describe the performance of ventilated PV façades integrated into buildings is investigated. In the most simplified representation of the thermal characteristics of the building, the key factors are the coefficients of solar heat gain and total heat loss. For an integrated building with a ventilated PV façade, a more accurate representation involves the interactions between the interior space, the ventilated space of the façade construction, the exterior PV elements, and the outside environmental conditions. The heat loss from the interior consists of both losses to ambient and to the ventilation air via the inner glazing or panelling. A direct numerical approach has been developed to identify the parameters that describe these heat transfer processes. The method allows the heat transfer coefficients to be obtained directly from data measured on an operational ventilated PV façade. The results are compared with values taken from conventional practice. A particular methodology explored in this paper is based on an extension of the familiar U and g values to take account of the energy transfer to the facade ventilation air. Four terms are defined to describe ventilation gains and transmission losses in terms of irradiance and temperature components. These terms characterise the total performance of the facade.

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