A new generation of building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV/T) systems, designed as smart, modular curtainwall, is emerging as a cornerstone of future-ready buildings.
The vacuum integrated photovoltaic (VPV) curtain wall has garnered widespread attention from scholars owing to its remarkable thermal insulation performance and power generation ability. However, there is a lack of in-depth, performance-driven optimal design that considers the mutually constraining functions of the VPV curtain wall.
In summary, partitioned design method of the VPV curtain wall can improve the performance of the conventional VPV curtain wall with the same overall PV coverage. Fig. 17. Comparison of VPV windows with different PV cells distributions of coverage of 40%. 3.3.2. The optimal case obtained using TOPSIS
Do VPV curtain walls save energy?
According to the literature review, VPV curtain walls exhibit significant potential for energy savings owing to their excellent thermal insulation performance . Furthermore, the shading effect of PV cells can alleviate discomfort glare and enhance occupants' visual comfort .
Are VPV curtain walls mutually constraining?
However, there is a lack of in-depth, performance-driven optimal design that considers the mutually constraining functions of the VPV curtain wall. To address this issue, this study proposed a multi-function partitioned design method for VPV curtain walls aimed at reconciling the competing demand of different functions.
What is a VPV curtain wall?
The VPV curtain wall consists of a piece of CdTe-based PV laminate glass, an air cavity, and a sheet of vacuum glazing. The solar cells are etched into strips by lasers, and the transmittance of the VPV sample can be adjusted by changing the arrangement density of the strip solar cells.
Which VPV curtain wall has the highest DGP?
It is observed that the VPV curtain wall with 10%, 0%, and 50% PV coverages of daylight, view, and spandrel sections has the highest average DGPs of 40.1%. By increasing the daylight section's PV coverage to 50%, the average DGPs decrease by 11.5%, while increasing the spandrel section's PV coverage to 90%, the DGPs only reduces by 2.5%.