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Windows integrated with PV can provide electrical energy and control the energy flow (heat and light) through the windows. With the objective of evaluate the potential application of window integrated PV in southwest China, the performance of silicon PV windows was comprehensively studied. A test unit was developed to monitor the performance of window integrated PV, then a validated comprehensive approach integrated with heat transfer, optical, electrical and building simulation model was used to comprehensively evaluate the performance of the window integrated PV under various climatic conditions in southwest China. The effects of the air gap on window thermal performance, window orientation, different window-to-wall ratio and coverage ratio of PV cells are evaluated. It was found that a maximum energy saving could be achieved, when the PV window is installed on the south facing façade with a PV cell coverage ratio of 0,87, air gap of 9 mm between the two glazing panes. It was found that a maximum energy saving of 983 kWh was achieved in Lhasa. A highest energy saving ratio of 83% was found in Kunming. The window integrated PV shows good energy saving potential under different climatic conditions in Southwest China. The highlights of this paper could be collected as below: • C-Si PV window with reasonable c-Si cells arrangement was designed. • The energy consumption of the building with PV windows was tested. • The design of STPV façade was optimized by the test and simulation results. • The energy saving potential of c-Si PV window in Southwest China is studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's building stock of more or less uniform residential blocks requires energy-, comfort and not at least architectural upgrade, if future demands are to be met and if demolition and thereby loss of valuable resources is to be prevented. Replacement of these buildings is not an option since affordable housing continues to be required in Chinese cities. Comfort requirements are currently increasing from previously undemanding behaviour to more energy-demanding comfort expectations. Retrofit of conditioning equipment in old buildings will lead to a significant increase in energy consumption, if the buildings are not upgraded (insulated, air tightened, etc.). Furthermore, although China is leading in the production of photovoltaic modules, the utilization of building integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV) is not yet implemented at a significant scale. However, the prevailing building typology is characterized by a southerly orientation, a favourable floor-to-roof ratio, a rather simple building envelope, appropriate floor plans and not at least a roof structure able to carry PV systems. Climates in many areas in China are more favourable for solar energy generation than in other countries, such as Germany, where BIPV is already widely utilized. This paper investigates the potentials of energy upgrade of a building typology representative for a large percentage of the existing Chinese building stock for 26 climates in China. Strategies of “efficiency” (energy-upgrade measures), “consistency” (renewable energy generation and revitalisation of existing structures) as well as “sufficiency” (reduced comfort requirements) are discussed as the pillars of a strong concept for sustainable upgrade of China's existing building stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The construction and energy supply–demand data of an existing integrated energy park are reviewed in detail. • An evaluation framework of the PV expansion potential of the park is proposed, and a solution is given through simulation and comparison. • The annual PV power generation will reach 4772.1MWh, and the self-sufficiency rate will increase to 25.9%. • The deployment of multiple types of PV modules in the park is suggested in terms of cost control and energy supply and energy demand matching. • The PV modules-building combination mode and the correspondent change characteristics of PV area,PV capacity and power generation are discussed. Industrial parks, distributed widely and with high energy consumption, show the demand for and provide favorable conditions of application of photovoltaic(PV) systems in a large-scale. Innovative PV technology allows more building integration options, bringing new opportunities for energy conservation.In the study, an evaluation framework was constructed in order to evaluate the expansion potential of PV systems. Taking the green integrated energy park in North China as an example, the construction and energy supply–demand data were reviewed.The scalable area of PV, the application effect of varied PV technologies and the impact on pollutant emission reduction were quantitatively analyzed. The roofs, facades and sites in the park were divided into seven types, These are then simulated to deploy mono c-Si modules, poly c-Si modules, CdTe film modules and CIGS film modules to obtain the best solutions by comparison. The results shows that the PV expansion of the park has significantly increased the power generation. The proportion of the energy supply meeting the overall energy demand increased from 4.3 % to 25.9 %. The wall of the production area where CdTe standard film modules were deployed is the place with the highest PV potential, followed by the parking shed and other sites. The deployment of diverse PV modules controlled the economic cost. The power generation trend also would better matches the hourly load of the park's power consumption, which can cover the sub item power consumption of the park. After the PV expansion, CO 2 emissions would be reduced by 4757.8 t per year. Based on the results, the correlation change characteristics and the influences of PV available area, PV capacity and power generation index are discussed. Considering the declining PV cost and the demonstrative nature of the case Park, the above results can guide the industrial parks to improve the utilization level of renewable energy and promote the realization of carbon emission reduction targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Representative cities regrouped for energy-saving potentials upon STPV integration. • Coupled STPV integration scenario induced energy-saving effects got validated. • Energy-saving effects of STPV photo-thermal-electrical property variations examined. • Design strategies for both integration concerns got proposed accordingly. Semi-Transparent Photovoltaics (STPVs) have received increasing popularities as they conform to the architectural design trend of large-area glass curtain walls and expand the application scenes of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs). However, their high sensitivities toward extreme thermal and radiation climate conditions as well as the potential key integration scenario--skylights for large footprint buildings, have rarely been highlighted. Meanwhile, in context of the low energy glass application consensus as well as varieties of commercial module typologies with diverse photo-thermal-electrical properties, designers are still in lack of key understandings regarding actual energy performances and appropriate design solutions of STPV integrations upon diversed climate conditions. In this work, the actual energy-saving disparities, occasioned by distinct climate conditions of both thermal design and solar radiation resources, have been investigated in detail through simulation validations over representative large footprint railway station building prototypes. 14 representative cities covering most concerning climate zones, as well as seven STPV modules based on different PV technologies or featured photo-thermal-electrical properties had been examined for their climate responsivenesses. All engaged cities have been re-grouped from the new perspective into four categories (Low, Medium, High, Ultra-high energy-saving beneficial) with corresponding energy-saving rates (ESRs) (<15%, 14%∼20%, 20%∼22%, >24%) to reveal their true energy-saving beneficial potential levels. Design strategies on basis of applicable integration scenarios as well as appropriate module properties and typologies have been proposed corresponding to each reclassified city categories, to achieve the best conjugated energy-saving effects. This research can provide essential knowledge for finalizing STPV integration designs under the premise of a best energy-saving performance, in response to diversified and complicated climate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The shading-type BIPV claddings can act as power generators as well as external shading devices and insulation panels. There is little available information about the impacts of orientations and inclinations on the combined energy effects of the shading-type BIPV claddings, including the power output of PV modules, the cooling load reduction of windows and concrete walls. It is worth studying the effects of different shading-type BIPV cladding designs on the total energy saving in order to maximize the system’s energy performance. By considering the meteorological conditions in Hong Kong, the energy effect of the shading-type BIPV claddings with different surface azimuth angles, in terms of electricity generation and cooling energy consumption reduction is analyzed in this paper. Based on the investigations, the optimum design of the shading-type BIPV claddings for different orientations can be achieved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) are one of the best ways to harness solar power, which is the most abundant, inexhaustible and clean of all the available energy resources. This paper discusses issues concerning BIPV in architectural design in China, including how to choose between BIPV and building-attached photovoltaics (BAPV), whether it is necessary for photovoltaic components to last as long as buildings and how to design BIPV structures. The paper shows that we should consider the function, cost, technology and aesthetics of BIPV, rather than solely the high integrations. According to developments in technology and markets, photovoltaic structures and design should be focused on the maintenance and replacement of photovoltaic cell modules, rather than simply prolonging their lives. To solve problems associated with the existing photovoltaic structures in China, we design a building photovoltaic structure that allows convenient maintenance and replacement of photovoltaic components. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]