A Review of the Energy Performance and Life-Cycle Assessment of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Systems

Tiantian Zhang, Meng Wang and Hongxing Yang
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Tiantian Zhang: Renewable Energy Research Group (RERG), Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Meng Wang: Renewable Energy Research Group (RERG), Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Hongxing Yang: Renewable Energy Research Group (RERG), Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 11, 1-34

Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology provides an aesthetical, economic, and technical solution for electricity self-sufficiency in buildings. As one of the most promising technologies for solar energy harvesting in urban areas, BIPV technology provides multiple benefits for buildings, including power generation from renewable energy resources, the replacement of traditional wall cladding, daytime lighting, heating/cooling load reduction, etc. This paper systematically reviews the progress of recent research on the electrical, thermal, optical, and overall energy performances of BIPV systems. Furthermore, based on the literature review on the energy payback time and the greenhouse-gas emission of various BIPV technologies, the research progress of the life-cycle assessment of BIPV systems is also discussed. It is anticipated that the review results can provide meaningful reference and support for the research and development of BIPV technology.

Keywords: building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology; optical performance; thermal performance; electrical performance; overall energy performance; energy payback time (EPBT); greenhouse-gas emission (GHGE) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (24)

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