Modelling and Characterization of Transparent Building Integrated PV/T Collector

This paper is intended to develop a detailed thermal and electrical model of a transparent backing Building Integrated Photovoltaic/Thermal (TBIPV/T) collector integrated to the roof. This model was used to assess the energy performance of a typical transparent PVT air collector. The energy balance equations were derived for glazing glass, the PV cells, glass back surface of the PV module, air flowing in the duct of TBIPV/T collector and back insulation surface. The energy equations were solved using FORTRAN. A new TRNSYS type was created for the transparent backing PVT system. This type is intended to function with multi-zone building model in TRNSYS, that means thermal interaction between the PV/T collector and the building was taken into account. The effect of different PVT system parameters such as PV cell packing factor, panel cover optical properties on thermal energy production and electricity generation were examined and discussed.