Improving the Economics of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics Through Heat Recovery

It is believed by the authors that significant opportunities exist for improving the economics of building-integrated photovoltaics by capturing and utilizing the thermal energy generated by the photovoltaic modules. These applications can include water preheating, air heating or make-up air preheating. By extracting the heat and thus cooling the panels, electrical performance is also improved.To analyze this possibility a test bed sinumating a roof integrated system was constructed and tested to determine the combined performance of both thermal and electrical output. The collected data were integrated into a simulation model for use within the TRNSYS program. The simulated performance of both electrical and thermal production was used to model applications for three building types.Energy and economic analysis of some of the simulations are provided. Specific recommendations are made regarding system design. More information about the two PV:BONUS projects discussed is contained in another paper entitled 'Two Building-Integrated Prototypes' published in these proceedings.