Optimizing roof-integrated photovoltaics: A case study of the PowerGuard{trademark} roofing tile

Conference · Sat Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:208231

Dinwoodie, T L ^[1]; Shugar, D S ^[2]

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1. PowerLight Corp., Berkeley, CA (United States)
2. Advanced Photovoltaic Systems, Inc., San Bruno, CA (United States)

This paper describes the development and implementation of a building-integrated photovoltaic (PV) roofing tile system that provides grid-connected electric power to buildings. The PV roofing tile system, together with waterproof membrane, insulation, and electrical interconnection, is called PowerGuard{trademark}. PowerGuard is one of the first PV roofing systems for flat and moderately-sloped commercial buildings that replaces conventional roof materials without requiring membrane penetrations and mechanical fastening to building structures. When evaluated as a PV system, the building integration reduces the cost of a PowerGuard system by 14% to 26% rather than incurring a structural mounting cost of 18% to 22 % to conventionally fasten the system. Data are reported from a 3.0 kW PowerGuard prototype operating in Folsom, California. PowerLight Corporation supplied the system using large-area amorphous silicon modules manufactured by Advanced Photovoltaic Systems, Inc. Performance data indicates the system is exceeding contractual requirements. Sensitivity analysis, based upon performance, installed costs, and supplier data, indicates (1) a marginal economic advantage to tilting the PV array; (2) a marginal economic impact of increased PV efficiency; and (3) economies-of-scale which make PowerGuard systems economical today for commercial customers in sunny areas who pay high electricity rates.

• OSTI ID: 208231
• Report Number(s): CONF-941203-; ISBN 0-7803-1459-X; TRN: IM9616%%559
• Resource Relation: Conference: 1. world conference on photovoltaic energy conversion, Waikoloa, HI (United States), 5-9 Dec 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of 1994 IEEE first world conference on photovoltaic energy conversion: Conference record of the twenty fourth IEEE photovoltaic specialists conference -- 1994. Volume 1; PB: 1303 p.
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
DESIGN
PERFORMANCE
BUILDING MATERIALS
ROOFS
ON-SITE POWER GENERATION
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
LOAD MANAGEMENT
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
INCLINATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
PRICES
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
POWER RANGE 01-10 KW