Assessment of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) for sustainable energy performance in tropical regions of Cameroon

Abstract Cameroon produces 1292 MW of electricity out of which 57% is through hydraulic resources and the remaining 43% through fossil fuels resources. The access to this electricity is limited to 10% of population in the rural areas and 50% in the urban areas. To meet the demand of electricity for domestic purpose as well as for businesses, farms and manufacturing, the squeeze on resources will become unsustainable unless renewable resources become part of the mix. In this paper, the review of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems and its potential in the tropical region is presented. An analysis is made for a residential apartment fitted with BIPV as roof top in tropical climate of Cameroon to meet principle energy demand of 3 kW per day. Modelling of the system is done to predict the indoor air temperatures and humidity (IATH) considering all the internal heat sources and thermal insulation of the envelope. The analysis shows that such system is capable of reducing annual primary energy consumption from 79.58 kW h/m2 to 13.64 kW h/m2 in addition to reduction in the amount spent on building materials for structured roof and the labour.

[1]  Arvind Tiwari,et al.  Performance evaluation of photovoltaic thermal solar air collector for composite climate of India , 2006 .

[2]  Jayanta Deb Mondol,et al.  Modelling and simulation of Building-Integrated solar thermal systems: Behaviour of the coupled building/system configuration , 2015 .

[3]  Mohammad S. Al-Homoud,et al.  Performance characteristics and practical applications of common building thermal insulation materials , 2005 .

[4]  Anne Grete Hestnes,et al.  Building Integration Of Solar Energy Systems , 1999 .

[5]  Jai Prakash,et al.  Transient analysis of a photovoltaic-thermal solar collector for co-generation of electricity and hot air/water , 1994 .

[6]  Xiaoqiang Zhai,et al.  Experience on integration of solar thermal technologies with green buildings , 2008 .

[7]  Maria Wall,et al.  Influence of window size on the energy balance of low energy houses , 2006 .

[8]  Luis Pérez-Lombard,et al.  A review of HVAC systems requirements in building energy regulations , 2011 .

[9]  Luis Pérez-Lombard,et al.  A review of benchmarking, rating and labelling concepts within the framework of building energy certification schemes , 2009 .

[10]  G. N. Tiwari,et al.  Performance evaluation of a building integrated semitransparent photovoltaic thermal system for roof and façade , 2012 .

[11]  A. Stegou-Sagia,et al.  The impact of glazing on energy consumption and comfort , 2007 .

[12]  Luis Pérez-Lombard,et al.  A review on buildings energy consumption information , 2008 .

[13]  Ha Herbert Zondag,et al.  The thermal and electrical yield of a PV-thermal collector , 2002 .

[14]  Adrian Pitts,et al.  The potential to exploit use of building-integrated photovoltaics in countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council , 2009 .

[15]  K. Touafek,et al.  Design and modeling of a photovoltaic thermal collector for domestic air heating and electricity production , 2013 .

[16]  Deo Prasad,et al.  Modelling of a photovoltaic heat recovery system and its role in a design decision support tool for building professionals , 2002 .

[17]  P. G. Luscuere,et al.  An exergy application for analysis of buildings and HVAC systems , 2010 .

[18]  Ayyoob Sharifi,et al.  Viability of using global standards for neighbourhood sustainability assessment: insights from a comparative case study , 2015 .

[19]  S. A. Al-Sanea,et al.  Optimum insulation thickness for building walls in a hot-dry climate , 2002 .

[20]  Ken-ichi Kimura.  Photovoltaic systems and architecture , 1994 .

[21]  Nalanie Mithraratne,et al.  Lifetime performance of semi-transparent building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) glazing systems in the tropics , 2014 .

[22]  Jan Kosny,et al.  Influence of insulation configuration on heating and cooling loads in a continuously used building , 2002 .

[23]  Jon Hand,et al.  Building-integrated photovoltaic and thermal applications in a subtropical hotel building , 2003 .

[24]  Donatien Njomo,et al.  The effect of building integrated photovoltaic system (Bipvs) on indoor air temperatures and humidity (Iath) in the tropical region of Cameroon , 2015 .

[25]  Said Farahat,et al.  An improved thermal and electrical model for a solar photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) air collector , 2010 .

[26]  G. N. Tiwari,et al.  Optimizing the energy and exergy of building integrated photovoltaic thermal (BIPVT) systems under cold climatic conditions , 2010 .

[27]  Xavier García Casals,et al.  Analysis of building energy regulation and certification in Europe: Their role, limitations and differences , 2006 .

[28]  A Kemajou,et al.  Le confort thermique en climat tropical humide vers un réaménagement des normes ergonomiques , 2015 .

[29]  João Vicente Akwa,et al.  Evaluation of the photovoltaic generation potential and real-time analysis of the photovoltaic panel operation on a building facade in southern Brazil , 2014 .

[30]  G. C. Bakos,et al.  Insulation protection studies for energy saving in residential and tertiary sector , 2000 .

[31]  Parham A. Mirzaei,et al.  Investigation of the role of cavity airflow on the performance of building-integrated photovoltaic panels , 2014 .

[32]  Thorsten Schuetze.  Integration of Photovoltaics in Buildings—Support Policies Addressing Technical and Formal Aspects , 2013 .

[33]  Mohammad S. Al-Homoud,et al.  Parametric analysis of alternative energy conservation measures in an office building in hot and humid climate , 2007 .

[34]  Masoud Rahimi,et al.  Using a wind-driven ventilator to enhance a photovoltaic cell power generation , 2014 .

[35]  Gang Liu,et al.  Solar potential in urban residential buildings , 2015 .

[36]  Said Farahat,et al.  Exergetic optimization of a solar photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) air collector , 2011 .

[37]  Francesco Leccese,et al.  Ventilated facades energy performance in summer cooling of buildings , 2003 .

[38]  Mohammed Al-Khawaja,et al.  Determination and selecting the optimum thickness of insulation for buildings in hot countries by accounting for solar radiation , 2004 .

[39]  S. Caneva,et al.  PV Diffusion in the Building Sector , 2008 .

[40]  Stephen Selkowitz,et al.  The New York Times headquarters daylighting mockup: Monitored performance of the daylighting control system , 2006 .

[41]  Ali Bolatturk,et al.  Optimum insulation thicknesses for building walls with respect to cooling and heating degree-hours in the warmest zone of Turkey , 2008 .

[42]  David Infield,et al.  Thermal performance estimation for ventilated PV facades , 2004 .

[43]  Roberto Lollini,et al.  Experimental investigation of a low cost passive strategy to improve the performance of Building Integrated Photovoltaic systems , 2015 .

[44]  Michaël Kummert,et al.  A novel approach to compare building-integrated photovoltaics/thermal air collectors to side-by-side PV modules and solar thermal collectors , 2014 .

[45]  K. Sopian,et al.  Daylighting as a passive solar design strategy in tropical buildings: a case study of Malaysia , 2002 .

[46]  W. Wagner,et al.  The IAPWS Formulation 1995 for the Thermodynamic Properties of Ordinary Water Substance for General and Scientific Use , 2002 .

[47]  Simon Roberts,et al.  Building Integrated Photovoltaics , 2005 .

[48]  P Pieter-Jan Hoes,et al.  User behavior in whole building simulation , 2009 .

[49]  Magali Bodart,et al.  Global energy savings in offices buildings by the use of daylighting , 2002 .

[50]  Akito Murayama,et al.  Neighborhood sustainability assessment in action: Cross-evaluation of three assessment systems and their cases from the US, the UK, and Japan , 2014 .

[51]  G. N. Tiwari,et al.  Energy and exergy analysis of a building integrated semitransparent photovoltaic thermal (BISPVT) system , 2012 .

[52]  Celina Filippín,et al.  Performance assessment of low-energy buildings in central Argentina , 2007 .

[53]  J. Akhatov,et al.  A review on photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) air and water collectors , 2011 .

[54]  Agis M. Papadopoulos,et al.  Environmental performance evaluation of thermal insulation materials and its impact on the building , 2007 .

[55]  Mehlika Inanici,et al.  Thermal performance optimization of building aspect ratio and south window size in five cities having different climatic characteristics of Turkey , 2000 .

[56]  Y. Tripanagnostopoulos,et al.  Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal solar systems , 2002 .

[57]  Bjørn Petter Jelle,et al.  The Path to the Building Integrated Photovoltaics of Tomorrow , 2012 .

[58]  Y. Tripanagnostopoulos,et al.  Performance improvement of PV/T solar collectors with natural air flow operation , 2008 .

[59]  H. Djamila,et al.  Effect of Humidity on Thermal Comfort in the Humid Tropics , 2014 .

[60]  Donatien Njomo,et al.  Thermal Energy Optimization of Building Integrated Semi-Transparent Photovoltaic Thermal Systems , 2015 .

[61]  Moncef Krarti,et al.  Energy Efficient Systems and Strategies for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) of Buildings , 2008 .

[62]  Ying Huang,et al.  Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in architectural design in China , 2011 .

[63]  Hongxing Yang,et al.  Study on thermal performance of semi-transparent building-integrated photovoltaic glazings , 2008 .

[64]  Viorel Badescu,et al.  Renewable energy for passive house heating: Part I. Building description , 2003 .

[65]  P. T. Tsilingiris,et al.  Wall heat loss from intermittently conditioned spaces—The dynamic influence of structural and operational parameters , 2006 .

[66]  T. James,et al.  Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) in the Residential Sector: An Analysis of Installed Rooftop System Prices , 2011 .

[67]  G. J. Yu,et al.  Analysis of thermal and electrical performance of semi-transparent photovoltaic (PV) module , 2010 .

[68]  Carsten Rode,et al.  Whole building hygrothermal simulation model , 2010 .

[69]  Hr Trechsel,et al.  Overview of ASTM MNL 40, Moisture Analysis and Condensation Control in Building Envelopes , 2001 .

[70]  G. M. Zaki,et al.  Cooling load response for building walls comprising heat storing and thermal insulating layers , 1991 .

[71]  G. Arku,et al.  The housing and economic development debate revisited: economic significance of housing in developing countries , 2006 .

[72]  Wong Nyuk Hien,et al.  Effects of double glazed facade on energy consumption, thermal comfort and condensation for a typical office building in Singapore , 2005 .

[73]  Bahram Moshfegh,et al.  Energy demand and indoor climate in a low energy building—changed control strategies and boundary conditions , 2006 .