Simulation-Based Parametric Analysis of Building Systems Integrative Solar Photovoltaics

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems use the ambient energy source of solar radiation to generate electricity without moving parts and components and without environmentally adverse forms of emissions. Such systems are highly modular, scalable and incorporate lightweight, durable and geometrically versatile elements that can be utilized as multi-functional building components such as building integrated photovoltaic (BiPV) systems.;This dissertation has the objective to develop computational methods and procedures to extend the current boundaries of simulation-based performance quantification of multi-functional solar PV systems deployable to building enclosures by introducing a building systems integrative photovoltaic (BSiPV) modeling and analysis approach through a multi-domain parametric framework. The proposed electrical PV performance model can provide predictions of solar power conversion efficiencies of the most recent PV modules with relatively higher current (>6.9A) and voltage (>44.2V) ratings. The empirical studies reveal that the proposed model with the use of device-under-test data, can accurately predict the solar power generation of an existing building integrated PV system in the form of an external louvre with mean bias error indices as low as 2.95% and 2.60% for operating PV current and power, respectively. Sensitivity analyses conducted on the PV performance model indicate the global solar radiation intensity on the plane of PV module as the most influential factor for the solar power generation with peak deviations of 116% and 117% from the mean values of PV power and current, respectively. Simulation results for glazing integrated semi-transparent PV systems (with 20% solar transmittance) show that the PV operation may not be significantly affecting heating and cooling loads of perimeter office spaces under heating and cooling dominated climates with percentage deviations of 0.31% for heating and 0.21% for cooling from baselines lacking PV integration. Parametric simulations indicate that the net energy balance of perimeter office spaces can show significant variability under both heating and cooling dominated climates (with variability range of 25% and 31% for heating and cooling loads, respectively) according to possible variations in enclosure design as well as the design of electrical and geometric properties of the integrated PV systems. Results of simulation-based sensitivity analyses reveal that the length of the overhang integrated PV systems can be the most dominant factor affecting both energy consumption and generation characteristics in addition to daylight utilization effectiveness of south-facing perimeter office spaces under heating and cooling dominated climates. The area of PV integrated glazing systems with respect to opaque and clear glazing area is found to be the most influential design factor for all climate types. Solar and visible transmittance of semitransparent PV systems can be influential to net energy balance in case such systems are deployed on glazing assemblies under high solar radiation conditions (i.e., under cooling dominated climates and unshaded urban context). Solar cell material type of two different PV modules (e.g., mono-crystalline versus poly-crystalline silicon materials) with the same peak power ratings may not be significant in terms of affecting variations in net energy balance and PV power generation with relative importance percentages of 0.4% and 1.4%, respectively.;Simulation-based results also show that geometrically and electrically optimized BSiPV systems on south-facing facades of typical medium-sized office buildings in the U.S. context can offset around 14.7% and 16.8% of annual total source energy consumption under heating and cooling dominated climates, respectively. Results also indicate that significant energy savings (25.4% for heating and 26.1% for cooling dominated climates) can be achieved in whole building energy balance with respect to national benchmark models with the contribution of the optimized BSiPV systems' energy yield when combined with pertinent high-performance enclosure measures. The proposed computational models and parametric search procedures in this dissertation can support energy efficient and optimal design of high-performance buildings equipped with multi-functional solar PV systems so as to achieve reduced heating, cooling, and electric lighting energy consumption and maximum generation of renewable solar power while maintaining acceptable levels of thermal and visual comfort conditions for the occupants.;******Abstract Shortened******.