Simulation-Based Investigation of the Air Velocity in a Naturally Ventilated BIPV System

Abstract

A Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) façade is formed by PV panels integrated to a second skin forming an air gap between the two skins. The air gap is responsible for cooling the PVs and for removing the excess heat, to avoid building overheating. The ventilation of the air gap can be natural or mechanical. The system investigated in this study is a vertical, naturally ventilated system. This has a number of advantages, the most important being the avoidance of energy to power the fans, the operation with no noise and the avoidance of overheating which can happen when the fan stops in an active system. A BIPV system is designed in COMSOL simulations software in 3D geometry and tested by varying the temperature on the various surfaces of the system for different air velocities from 0.02 m/s to 2.5 m/s. Additionally, experimental tests are carried out to validate the model. The results show a good agreement between the simulated and measured values.