Design and Evaluation of Façade-Integrated Solar Technologies Suitable for High-Latitude Applications

• Main Author: Chen, Yichao
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Northwest Territories; Nunavut
• Online Access: https://spectrum.library.concordia.ca/id/eprint/974546/; https://spectrum.library.concordia.ca/id/eprint/974546/8/Chen_Yichao_MASc_F2012.pdf

This thesis investigates the design and evaluation of façade-integrated solar technologies optimized for high latitude locations. To address the climatic and socio-economic challenges pertaining to Northern housing, a pre-fabricated active envelope system is designed to generate energy from renewable sources while functioning effectively as a passive building enclosure. An experimental prototype is developed using high-performance structural insulated panel (SIP) wall with the capacity to accommodate several modular solar components including unglazed transpired collector (UTC), transpired glazing (TG), and photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems. Ten collector configurations based on the experimental prototype have been evaluated at the state-of-the-art Solar Simulator and Environmental Chamber (SSEC) laboratory, which allows for a compressed timeline and repeatable results compared to outdoor experiments. Custom thermal network models for the different collector configurations are developed for steady state and annual analyses. Simulation results are compared to and validated by experimental data from the SSEC laboratory. The potential of energy conservation and renewable generation by the proposed solar facades is estimated using typical meteorological year weather data of three northern Canadian cities. Two case studies, involving existing façade-integrated solar technologies at high latitudes, are presented in the Appendix. Field inspections were conducted for a 17-year-old photovoltaic façade in Nunavut, and six Unglazed Transpired Collector (UTC) façade installations in Northwest Territories. In an effort to connect with reality and to investigate the suitability of building integrated solar technologies, the fieldwork examined and discussed the current state of performance and operation issues for the existing solar installations at high latitudes.