Irradiation Analysis of Tensile Membrane Structures for Building-Integrated Photovoltaics

Janusz Marchwiński, Vuk Milošević, Anna Stefańska and Elena Lucchi ()
Additional contact information
Janusz Marchwiński: Faculty of Architecture, University of Ecology and Management in Warsaw, 00-792 Warsaw, Poland
Vuk Milošević: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Niš, 18000 Niš, Serbia
Anna Stefańska: Institute of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Elena Lucchi: Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering (DABC), Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-26

Abstract: A dynamic development in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) has been observed in recent years. One of the manifestations of this trend is the integration of photovoltaic cells with tensile membrane structures, including canopies. Such solutions bring mutual benefits—the roofs provide a potentially large area for the application of photovoltaic cells while contributing to the improvement of the energy efficiency of the building. However, what is lacking is thorough research on the most favourable photovoltaic cell exposure within these roofs. This paper investigates the optimal position of photovoltaic cells in terms of energy gains related to exposure to solar radiation. Hypar geometries were simulated as the most characteristic of tensile membrane roofs and, simultaneously, the least obvious in the research context. Simulations were performed for 54 roof samples with the following geometric variables: roof height (1.0, 3.0 m) and membrane prestress (1:3, 1:1, 3:1). The research was conducted for three roof orientations defined by azimuth angles of 0, 22.5, and 45 degrees and three geographic locations, Oslo, Vienna, and Lisbon, representing Northern, Central, and Southern Europe, respectively. The Sofistik and Rhino + Ladybug software were used to create models and simulations. The study results show significant differences in the roof irradiation and, consequently, the optimal location of BIPVs depending on the above variables. Generally, it is the curvature that is the most important variable-less curved roofs are more irradiated and thus more suitable for BIPVs. Prestress and the azimuth angle are of lesser significance, but defining the optimal use of a BIPV depends on the adopted scenario regarding the percentage of membrane coverage with PVs—other recommendations concern the strategy of total or partial roof coverage with PV cells. The difference between optimally and incorrectly designed roofs may amount to a 50% electricity gain from PV cells.

Keywords: BIPVs; tensile membrane structures; membrane roofs; energy efficiency; photovoltaic technology (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: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/16/5945/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/16/5945/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:16:p:5945-:d:1215542

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().