Grid-connected semitransparent building-integrated photovoltaic system: The comprehensive case study of the 120kWp plant in Kunming, China

Abstract

A 120 kWp building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system was installed on the south facade of the Solar Energy Research Institute building in Yunnan Normal University. The area of the curtain wall was 1560m2 (26m× 60 m), which consisted of 720 semitransparent monocrystalline silicon double-glazing PV panels. This paper studied the yearly and monthly variations of power generation in terms of solar data and meteorological parameters. The total amount of power generation of the BIPV system measured from October 2014 to September 2015 was 64.607 MWh, and the simulation results with TRNSYS (Transient Systems Simulation Program) provided the 75.515MWh predicted value of annual electricity production with the meteorological database of Meteonorm, while, based on the average value of the performance ratio (PR) of 60% and the life cycle assessment (LCA) of the system, the energy payback time (EPBT) of 9.38 years and the potential for pollutant emission reductions have been evaluated and the environmental cost is RMB -0.01053 per kWh. Finally, an economic analysis was carried out; the net present value (NPV) and the economic payback time of the BIPV system were estimated to be RMB -359,347 and 15 years, respectively.