Limitations of EnergyPlus in analyzing energy performance of semi-transparent photovoltaic modules

Semi-transparent photovoltaic (STPV) modules are a renewable energy source that significantly affects the energy load of buildings by simultaneously producing power and acting as a window. Therefore, the application of STPV to buildings requires investigation from various perspectives. In this study, the space with STPV was modeled using EnergyPlus and the simulation results were compared with the mock-up data. The characteristics of power production according to cell type were not reflected in simulation because only the cell efficiency was applied to calculate in simulation unlike data obtained from a mock-up. Moreover, the result of analyzing the data based on the mock-up indicated that the indoor temperature in the space with the c-Si module was higher than that in the space with the a-Si. However, the opposite result was derived from simulation. This result was obtained because a temperature increase of modules during power generation was not reflected in simulation. Furthermore, it was found that the indoor temperature was analyzed based on only the u-value and SHGC in simulation because the indoor temperature increasing by the radiation from the STPV was not reflected in simulation. This study proposes the necessity and direction of algorithm improvement through comparison between simulation and mock-up.