Influence of photovoltaic angle-dependence on overall power output for fixed building integrated configurations

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems are an emerging approach to reduce installation costs while supplementing building energy needs. However, the physical constraints of the building architecture often prevent photovoltaic systems from being installed at their optimal orientation. Recently, it was shown that thin film photovoltaics can be designed for improved angle-dependent responsivity at specific angles. In this study, the complex impact of angular dependency on overall power output is explored based on detailed hourly solar position, location, and flux data. These results demonstrate that reducing the angular roll-off dependence can enhance overall power outputs by 30% or more in fixed orientation configurations depending on the geographical location, orientation, and angle-dependent roll-off characteristics. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.