How to Combine Solar Photovoltaic Panels with Buildings?

Facing the imminent energy crisis, solar energy, as a kind of renewable energy, is favored by energy experts from all over the world because of its clean, environmentally friendly, and inexhaustible characteristics.

In recent years, the application range of solar photovoltaic technology has become wider. In addition to basic household solar energy systems and large-scale solar power plants, solar photovoltaic technology is also considered to be integrated with buildings. Therefore, this article will introduce you to the widespread solar photovoltaic building integration.

1. Application Method of Photovoltaic System

Group control systems, on-grid solar systems and hybrid systems are three main application methods of solar photovoltaic systems.

Group Control Systems

As the sunlight is blocked by trees and high-rise buildings in some occasions, it is not suitable to set up an independent solar energy system. The group control systems is to place one or more sets of solar panels in a place where the sunlight is better absorbed, and to set up the corresponding control system to supply power and control multiple electrical appliances in other sunlight shelters.

On-grid Solar Systems

In an on-grid solar system, the direct current generated by solar panels is converted into alternating current through an inverter and then directly connected to the public grid. Since this system can directly input electrical energy to the grid and eliminate the need for storage batteries, it reduces the system cost, saves the process of storage and makes full use of the electricity. But on the other hand, a dedicated on-grid inverter needs to be configured in the system to ensure that the output electric energy meets the requirements for voltage, frequency and other power performance.

Hybrid Systems

In addition to using solar panels to generate electricity, the hybrid system also uses diesel generators as a backup power source. The purpose is to comprehensively utilize the advantages of various power generation technologies and avoid their respective shortcomings. This hybrid power supply system can reduce the dependence on the weather, decrease the load shortage rate, and achieve better load matching and higher cost performance.

2. Solar Photovoltaic Building Integration

The goal of photovoltaic building integration is to integrate photovoltaic devices and building materials. For example, if photovoltaic devices are used to replace building roofs, sunny exterior walls and even windows, they can be treated as building materials to generate electricity, killing two birds with one stone. Of course, they should also have the properties of thermal insulation, waterproof and moisture-proof, mechanical strength and electrical insulation required by building materials, and consider the factors of safety and reliability, easy construction and beautiful facade.

Obviously, the replacement of some building materials by photovoltaic devices can further reduce the cost of photovoltaic power generation, which is conducive to the promotion of photovoltaic technology.

In short, building integrated photovoltaic technology embodies the innovative architectural concept and high-tech content. It not only opens up a new world of photovoltaic technology but also promotes the industrialization of photovoltaic technology and large-scale application in the city.