IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v78y2015icp666-678.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Optimal design of photovoltaic energy collectors with mutual shading for pre-existing building roofs

Author

Listed:
  • Martinez-Rubio, A.
  • Sanz-Adan, F.
  • Santamaria, J.

Abstract

Technological advances in photovoltaic energy and reductions in the costs of photovoltaic (PV) cells make it likely that the roofs and faces of buildings will in the near future be clad with PV materials. These materials will act as insulation (passive efficiency), as a heat source (hot water) and as a source of electricity (active efficiency). This paper proposes a method for determining the most suitable orientation for the location of PV modules with a view to making optimal use of the solar irradiance available. The method can be extrapolated to all types of flat building shell, all orientations and slope angles, all geographical locations and all module sizes and performance efficiencies. It enables best-performing plant to be designed according to the needs of each user (maximum number of hours-equivalent or maximum output). The method is based on an algorithm that calculates the optimum tilt and azimuth angles of PV modules on the basis of estimated data for solar irradiance, PV module shading times and roof characteristics. The results are checked against the outputs of various PV installations currently up and running. This method is a highly useful tool for working towards building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems in urban settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Martinez-Rubio, A. & Sanz-Adan, F. & Santamaria, J., 2015. "Optimal design of photovoltaic energy collectors with mutual shading for pre-existing building roofs," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 666-678.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:78:y:2015:i:c:p:666-678
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2015.01.043
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148115000610
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2015.01.043?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mondol, Jayanta Deb & Yohanis, Yigzaw G. & Norton, Brian, 2007. "The impact of array inclination and orientation on the performance of a grid-connected photovoltaic system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 118-140.
    2. Sun, Liangliang & Lu, Lin & Yang, Hongxing, 2012. "Optimum design of shading-type building-integrated photovoltaic claddings with different surface azimuth angles," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 233-240.
    3. Alonso-García, M.C. & Ruiz, J.M. & Herrmann, W., 2006. "Computer simulation of shading effects in photovoltaic arrays," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(12), pages 1986-1993.
    4. Strzalka, Aneta & Alam, Nazmul & Duminil, Eric & Coors, Volker & Eicker, Ursula, 2012. "Large scale integration of photovoltaics in cities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 413-421.
    5. Cheng, C.L. & Sanchez Jimenez, Charles S. & Lee, Meng-Chieh, 2009. "Research of BIPV optimal tilted angle, use of latitude concept for south orientated plans," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 1644-1650.
    6. Branker, K. & Pathak, M.J.M. & Pearce, J.M., 2011. "A review of solar photovoltaic levelized cost of electricity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 4470-4482.
    7. Paudel, Ananda Mani & Sarper, Hűseyin, 2013. "Economic analysis of a grid-connected commercial photovoltaic system at Colorado State University-Pueblo," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 289-296.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Maria-Mar Fernandez-Antolin & José-Manuel del-Río & Roberto-Alonso Gonzalez-Lezcano, 2019. "Influence of Solar Reflectance and Renewable Energies on Residential Heating and Cooling Demand in Sustainable Architecture: A Case Study in Different Climate Zones in Spain Considering Their Urban Co," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-31, November.
    2. Martínez-Rubio, A. & Sanz-Adan, F. & Santamaría-Peña, J. & Martínez, Araceli, 2016. "Evaluating solar irradiance over facades in high building cities, based on LiDAR technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 133-147.
    3. Yadav, Somil & Panda, S.K. & Hachem-Vermette, Caroline, 2020. "Optimum azimuth and inclination angle of BIPV panel owing to different factors influencing the shadow of adjacent building," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 381-396.
    4. Copper, J.K. & Sproul, A.B. & Bruce, A.G., 2016. "A method to calculate array spacing and potential system size of photovoltaic arrays in the urban environment using vector analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 11-23.
    5. Hai Lan & Jinfeng Dai & Shuli Wen & Ying-Yi Hong & David C. Yu & Yifei Bai, 2015. "Optimal Tilt Angle of Photovoltaic Arrays and Economic Allocation of Energy Storage System on Large Oil Tanker Ship," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-16, October.
    6. Yulia V. Daus & Igor V. Yudaev & Michael A. Taranov & Sergey M. Voronin & Vladimir S. Gazalov, 2019. "Reducing the Costs for Consumed Electricity through the Solar Energy Utilization," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 9(2), pages 19-23.
    7. Lovati, Marco & Dallapiccola, Mattia & Adami, Jennifer & Bonato, Paolo & Zhang, Xingxing & Moser, David, 2020. "Design of a residential photovoltaic system: the impact of the demand profile and the normative framework," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 1458-1467.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tripathy, M. & Yadav, S. & Sadhu, P.K. & Panda, S.K., 2017. "Determination of optimum tilt angle and accurate insolation of BIPV panel influenced by adverse effect of shadow," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 211-223.
    2. Rômulo de Oliveira Azevêdo & Paulo Rotela Junior & Luiz Célio Souza Rocha & Gianfranco Chicco & Giancarlo Aquila & Rogério Santana Peruchi, 2020. "Identification and Analysis of Impact Factors on the Economic Feasibility of Photovoltaic Energy Investments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-40, September.
    3. Bressan, M. & El Basri, Y. & Galeano, A.G. & Alonso, C., 2016. "A shadow fault detection method based on the standard error analysis of I-V curves," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 1181-1190.
    4. Taveres-Cachat, Ellika & Lobaccaro, Gabriele & Goia, Francesco & Chaudhary, Gaurav, 2019. "A methodology to improve the performance of PV integrated shading devices using multi-objective optimization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 731-744.
    5. Hui Zhang & Xiaoxi Huang & Zhengwei Wang & Shiyu Jin & Benlin Xiao & Yanyan Huang & Wei Zhong & Aofei Meng, 2024. "An Estimation of the Available Spatial Intensity of Solar Energy in Urban Blocks in Wuhan, China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-26, February.
    6. Sánchez Reinoso, Carlos R. & Milone, Diego H. & Buitrago, Román H., 2013. "Simulation of photovoltaic centrals with dynamic shading," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 278-289.
    7. Orioli, Aldo & Di Gangi, Alessandra, 2014. "Review of the energy and economic parameters involved in the effectiveness of grid-connected PV systems installed in multi-storey buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 955-969.
    8. Wadhawan, Siddharth R. & Pearce, Joshua M., 2017. "Power and energy potential of mass-scale photovoltaic noise barrier deployment: A case study for the U.S," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 125-132.
    9. Jägemann, Cosima & Hagspiel, Simeon & Lindenberger, Dietmar, 2013. "The Economic Inefficiency of Grid Parity: The Case of German Photovoltaics," EWI Working Papers 2013-19, Energiewirtschaftliches Institut an der Universitaet zu Koeln (EWI).
    10. Ye, Yuxuan & Zhu, Rui & Yan, Jinyue & Lu, Lin & Wong, Man Sing & Luo, Wei & Chen, Min & Zhang, Fan & You, Linlin & Wang, Yafei & Qin, Zheng, 2023. "Planning the installation of building-integrated photovoltaic shading devices: A GIS-based spatiotemporal analysis and optimization approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    11. Sommerfeldt, Nelson & Madani, Hatef, 2017. "Revisiting the techno-economic analysis process for building-mounted, grid-connected solar photovoltaic systems: Part one – Review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 1379-1393.
    12. Hafez, A.Z. & Soliman, A. & El-Metwally, K.A. & Ismail, I.M., 2017. "Tilt and azimuth angles in solar energy applications – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 147-168.
    13. Gassar, Abdo Abdullah Ahmed & Cha, Seung Hyun, 2021. "Review of geographic information systems-based rooftop solar photovoltaic potential estimation approaches at urban scales," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 291(C).
    14. Joshua M. Pearce & Emily Prehoda, 2019. "Could 79 People Solarize the U.S. Electric Grid?," Societies, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-27, March.
    15. Azimoh, Chukwuma Leonard & Wallin, Fredrik & Klintenberg, Patrik & Karlsson, Björn, 2014. "An assessment of unforeseen losses resulting from inappropriate use of solar home systems in South Africa," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 336-346.
    16. Aldo Orioli & Vincenzo Franzitta & Alessandra Di Gangi & Ferdinando Foresta, 2016. "The Recent Change in the Italian Policies for Photovoltaics: Effects on the Energy Demand Coverage of Grid-Connected PV Systems Installed in Urban Contexts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-31, November.
    17. Mayr, Dieter & Schmidt, Johannes & Schmid, Erwin, 2014. "The potentials of a reverse auction in allocating subsidies for cost-effective roof-top photovoltaic system deployment," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 555-565.
    18. Orioli, Aldo & Di Gangi, Alessandra, 2017. "Six-years-long effects of the Italian policies for photovoltaics on the pay-back period of grid-connected PV systems installed in urban contexts," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 458-470.
    19. Bayod-Rújula, Angel A. & Ortego-Bielsa, Abel & Martínez-Gracia, Amaya, 2011. "Photovoltaics on flat roofs: Energy considerations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 1996-2010.
    20. Goel, Sonali & Sharma, Renu, 2017. "Performance evaluation of stand alone, grid connected and hybrid renewable energy systems for rural application: A comparative review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1378-1389.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:78:y:2015:i:c:p:666-678. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.