Study on the energy saving potential for semi-transparent PV window in Southwest China

Abstract

To study Semi-Transparent photovoltaic (STPV) windows, experiments were conducted to test the energy potential of STPV window installed in buildings. Two identical rooms were built up as experimental units; one was fitted with amorphous silicon (a-silicon) photovoltaic (PV) windows, and another was fitted with a conventional window. The interactional influence was analyzed among air conditioning energy consumption, lighting energy consumption, and energy generation. It can be concluded that STPV windows could provide 0.26 kWh/per day and save 29% on comprehensive building load on a typical sunny day. In order to further investigate, buildings installed with STPV windows in four typical cities with different climate environments in southwest China were simulated and analyzed. The cooling load of the buildings were all decreased while the heating energy consumption and lighting energy consumption were lightly increased. The energy generation of STPV windows was highest in Lhasa at 402.1 kWh/year. The energy saving potential of STPV windows was predicted with good values; 54% in Kunming.