Experimental Investigation on the Performances of Innovative PV Vertical Structures

• Published in: Photonics Vol. 6; no. 3; p. 86
• Main Authors: Acciari, Gianluca, Adamo, Gabriele, Ala, Guido, Busacca, Alessandro, Caruso, Massimo, Giglia, Graziella, Imburgia, Antonino, Livreri, Patrizia, Miceli, Rosario, Parisi, Antonino, Pellitteri, Filippo, Pernice, Riccardo, Romano, Pietro, Schettino, Giuseppe, Viola, Fabio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 2019
• Subjects: BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaic) technology; Cadmium telluride; Carbon dioxide; dye-sensitized solar cell; Efficiency; Energy; Photovoltaic cells; photovoltaic technology; Photovoltaics; Roofing; Silicon wafers; Sustainable development; Thin films
• ISSN: 2304-6732; 2304-6732
• DOI: 10.3390/photonics6030086

The sustainable development of our planet is considerably related to a relevant reduction of CO2 global emissions, with building consumption contributing more than 40%. In this scenario, new technological conceptions, such as building-integrated photovoltaic technology, emerged in order to satisfy the requirements of sustainability imposed by the European Union. Therefore, the aim of this work is to provide a technical and economical comparison of the performances of different vertical-mounted innovative photovoltaic systems, potentially integrated on a building instead of on traditional windows or glass walls. The proposed investigation was carried out by means of experimental tests on three different next-generation vertical structures. The related results are described and discussed, highlighting the advantages and the drawbacks of the proposed technologies.