Building Integrated Photovoltaic Test Facility.
Building Integrated Photovoltaic Test Facility.
(289 K)
Fanney, A. H.; Dougherty, B. P.
ASME Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Special Issue:
Solar Thermochemical Processing, Vol. 123, No. 2,
194-199, August 2001.
Keywords:
photovoltaic; costs; specifications; sensors;
temperature; computer simulation
Abstract:
The widespread use of building integrated photovoltaics
appears likely as a result of the continuing decline in
photovoltaic manufacturing costs, the relative ease in
which photovoltaics can be incorporated within the
building envelope, and the fact that buildings account
for over 40 percent of the U.S. energy consumption.
However, designers, architects, installers, and
consumers need more information and analysis tools in
order to judge the merits of building-integrated solar
photovoltaic products. In an effort to add to the
knowledge base, the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) has undertaken a multiple-year project
to collect high quality experimental performance data.
The data will be used to validate computer models for
building integrated photovoltaics and, where necessary,
to develop algorithms that may be incorporated within
these models. This paper describes the facilities that
have been constructed to assist in this effort. The
facilities include a mobile tracking photovoltaic test
facility, a building integrated photovoltaic "test bed",
an outdoor aging rack, and a meteorological station.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899