Energy and Environmental Performance of Solar Thermal Collectors and PV Panel System in Renovated Historical Building

Abstract

The major intent of this article was to determine the amount of energy received by two active systems used to convert solar radiation and to estimate their impact on reducing the emission of pollutants. Thermal solar collectors with an area of 51.36 m2 and photovoltaic panels with an area of 50.4 m2 were subject to comparative analysis. It was assumed that either of the two systems could be installed on the roof of an old tenement house located in Poznan (Poland), which is planned for renovation. Computer simulations made with DesignBuilder software were used as a research tool. Two main conclusions can be drawn from the analysis of the year-long operation of both systems in the conditions of a typical meteorological year. Thermal solar collectors can produce 469 kWh of heat from 1 m2 of the device annually, while PV panels can generate 136 kWh of electricity per year from 1 m2 of active area. However, it turned out that the use of photovoltaic systems can contribute to a higher reduction in pollutants emitted to the atmosphere as a result of the alternative combustion of fossil fuels. Additionally, the optimal angle of inclination of devices for solar radiation conversion located near Poznan was determined.