Electrical energy generation with differently oriented photovoltaic modules as façade elements

Abstract

In this paper the results of theoretical and experimental investigation of electrical energy generated with differently oriented PV modules used as facade elements, are presented. It was found that in 2013, optimally oriented monocristalline solar module of 60 Wp generated 62.9 kWh; horizontal module 58.1 kWh; vertical module oriented toward the South 43.9 kWh; vertical module oriented toward the East 25.7 kWh, and vertical module oriented toward the West 22.9 kWh of electrical energy. Also it was found that optimally oriented Building Integrated PV system (BIPV) of 1.2 kWp can produce 1081.6 kWh/year; horizontal, vertical oriented toward the South, vertical oriented toward the East and vertical oriented toward the West can generate 7.6%, 30.2%, 59.2% and 63.6 less electrical energy, respectively. The greenhouse-gas payback periods (GPBP) for the optimally oriented and horizontal BIPV systems were estimated to be 7.8 and 8.5 years, respectively. The obtained results can be applied in designing residential, commercial and other buildings with BIPV systems in Serbia.