Evaluation of Integrated Photovoltaic Systems on Facades

ABSTRACT: Nowadays energy usage in buildings became critical due to limited energy sources. Energy efficient building designers started to develop themselves in this manner. In addition to these, renovation of existing buildings started to be re-used in this manner also. Building techniques and construction materials should be selected accordingly. Constructions of photovoltaic (PV) systems are the part of the new design of architecture and they have affected the silhouette of the cities to use them on building facades. Today it is mostly used by the developed countries, but it is still an emerging technology. In this context many countries around the world are working to increase the use of renewable energy sources with the improving technology. In addition to this, architects who design energy consuming projects are responsible for the future of the world. For this reason less energy consuming projects with their design concepts by utilization of renewable energy sources are increasing day by day. Today using photovoltaic (PV) systems in architecture is an attractive solution to solve energy problem. Technology use for PV is developing. PV as cladding wall material is different for each building enveloper systems. There are different construction systems and different PV panel systems like PV with aluminum frame, without frame, metal base or double base (glass to glass) and each system has their own construction strategy. These construction strategies and their construction details will be examined and evaluated in this research. The advantages and disadvantages of using PV on building facades, type of climate, orientation of PV panels on facades, integration of PV panels for different building envelope (on curtain wall, on double skin façade and on rainscreen cladding system), design feature and classification of PV’s will be part of this research. Moreover the factors which affected to the PV module efficiency (overheating, overshadowing, etc.) will be evaluated too. Result of this work will be useful for designers while using PV in their projects. Keywords: Cladding Wall, Photovoltaic Panels, Building Envelope and Sustainable Construction. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………