Energy analysis of facade-integrated photovoltaic systems applied to UAE commercial buildings

Journal Article · Wed Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 2010 · Solar Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SOLENER.2010.10.002· OSTI ID:21396176

Radhi, Hassan ^[1]

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1. Architectural Engineering Department, UAE University, Al-ain (United Arab Emirates)

Developments in the design and manufacture of photovoltaic cells have recently been a growing concern in the UAE. At present, the embodied energy pay-back time (EPBT) is the criterion used for comparing the viability of such technology against other forms. However, the impact of PV technology on the thermal performance of buildings is not considered at the time of EPBT estimation. If additional energy savings gained over the PV system life are also included, the total EPBT could be shorter. This paper explores the variation of the total energy of building integrated photovoltaic systems (BiPV) as a wall cladding system applied to the UAE commercial sector and shows that the ratio between PV output and saving in energy due to PV panels is within the range of 1:3-1:4. The result indicates that for the southern and western facades in the UAE, the embodied energy pay-back time for photovoltaic system is within the range of 12-13 years. When reductions in operational energy are considered, the pay-back time is reduced to 3.0-3.2 years. This study comes to the conclusion that the reduction in operational energy due to PV panels represents an important factor in the estimation of EPBT. (author)

• OSTI ID: 21396176
• Journal Information: Solar Energy, Journal Name: Solar Energy Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 84; ISSN 0038-092X; ISSN SRENA4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
DESIGN
ENERGY ANALYSIS
Embodied energy
PANELS
PAYBACK PERIOD
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PRODUCTION
SOLAR ARCHITECTURE
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
VARIATIONS
WALLS
Wall cladding systems