Building integrated photovoltaic thermal collectors: modelling and experimental investigation of two novel cost-effective prototypes

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of three different building integrated solar systems. Specifically, two building integrated photovoltaic thermal collector prototypes (alternatively water and air cooled) are investigated along with a building integrated photovoltaic panel. In particular, the prototypes are fabricated and experimentally tested at University of Patras (Greece). Note that the active performance of such devices is already investigated in other works. Here, the analysis of the passive effects onto the building thermal behaviour, due to the devices integration, is presented. To this aim, a suitable dynamic simulation tool, capable to assess the whole device-building performance analysis, is developed. Aiming at proving the potential of such code and to show the effects of building integrated solar systems adoption on the building thermal behaviour, a suitably case study is presented. A simple dwelling unit of a multi-storey residential building, located in different weather zones and subjected to diverse boundary conditions, is considered. On the building South facades, the investigated collectors are integrated, and the associated passive effects are analysed. Interesting outcomes by the energy and comfort points of view are achieved by such analyses.