• Energy Research

All-inorganic visibly-transparent energy-harvesting clear laminated glass windows are the most practical solution to boosting building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) energy outputs significantly while reducing cooling- and heating-related energy consumption in buildings. By incorporating luminophore materials into lamination interlayers and using spectrally-selective thin-film coatings in conjunction with CuInSe2 solar cells, most of the visible solar radiation can be transmitted through the glass window with minimum attenuation while ultraviolet (UV) radiation is down-converted and routed together with a significant part of infrared radiation to the edges for collection by solar cells. Experimental results demonstrate a 10 cm × 10 cm vertically-placed energy-harvesting clear glass panel of transparency exceeding 60%, invisible solar energy attenuation greater than 90% and electrical power output near 30 Wp/m(2) mainly generated by infrared (IR) and UV radiations. These results open the way for the realization of large-area visibly-transparent energy-harvesting clear glass windows for BIPV systems.

We present a review of the current state of the field for a rapidly evolving group of technologies related to solar energy harvesting in built environments. In particular, we focus on recent achievements in enabling the widespread distributed generation of electric energy assisted by energy capture in semi-transparent or even optically clear glazing systems and building wall areas. Whilst concentrating on recent cutting-edge results achieved in the integration of traditional photovoltaic device types into novel concentrator-type windows and glazings, we compare the main performance characteristics reported with these using more conventional (opaque or semi-transparent) solar cell technologies. A critical overview of the current status and future application potential of multiple existing and emergent energy harvesting technologies for building integration is provided.

El enfoque de este trabajo está en la optimización de sistemas de generación de energía híbridos totalmente fotovoltaicos para edificios energéticamente eficientes y sostenibles, con el objetivo de emisiones netas cero. Esta investigación propone un enfoque híbrido que combina paneles solares convencionales con sistemas avanzados de ventanas solares y la construcción de sistemas fotovoltaicos integrados (BIPV). Al analizar los datos meteorológicos y utilizar los modelos de simulación, predecimos las salidas de energía para diferentes ciudades como Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Toronto, Auckland, Ciudad del Cabo, Riad y la ciudad de Kuwait. Aunque hay largos plazos de amortización, nuestras simulaciones demuestran que el sistema combinado totalmente PV propuesto puede satisfacer las necesidades energéticas de los edificios modernos (hasta un 78%, dependiendo de la ubicación) y puede ampliarse para edificios enteros. Los resultados simulados indican que las ciudades de Oriente Medio son particularmente adecuadas para estos sistemas híbridos, generando aproximadamente 1,2 veces más energía en comparación con Toronto, Canadá. Además, predecimos el resultado de la posible incorporación de sistemas inteligentes y automatizados para impulsar la eficiencia energética general hacia el logro de un entorno de construcción sostenible. L'objectif de ce travail est l'optimisation d'un système de production d'énergie hybride entièrement photovoltaïque pour des bâtiments économes en énergie et durables, visant des émissions nettes nulles. Cette recherche propose une approche hybride combinant des panneaux solaires conventionnels avec des systèmes de fenêtres solaires avancés et des systèmes photovoltaïques intégrés au bâtiment (BIPV). En analysant les données météorologiques et en utilisant les modèles de simulation, nous prédisons la production d'énergie pour différentes villes telles que Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Toronto, Auckland, Le Cap, Riyad et Koweït. Bien que les temps de récupération soient longs, nos simulations démontrent que le système mixte tout-PV proposé peut répondre aux besoins énergétiques des bâtiments modernes (jusqu'à 78 %, en fonction de l'emplacement) et peut être étendu à des bâtiments entiers. Les résultats simulés indiquent que les villes du Moyen-Orient sont particulièrement adaptées à ces systèmes hybrides, générant environ 1,2 fois plus d'énergie que Toronto, au Canada. De plus, nous prévoyons le résultat de l'incorporation possible de systèmes intelligents et automatisés pour stimuler l'efficacité énergétique globale vers la réalisation d'un environnement de bâtiment durable. The focus of this work is on the optimization of an all-photovoltaic hybrid power generation systems for energy-efficient and sustainable buildings, aiming for net-zero emissions. This research proposes a hybrid approach combining conventional solar panels with advanced solar window systems and building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems. By analyzing the meteorological data and using the simulation models, we predict energy outputs for different cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Toronto, Auckland, Cape Town, Riyadh, and Kuwait City. Although there are long payback times, our simulations demonstrate that the proposed all-PV blended system can meet the energy needs of modern buildings (up to 78%, location dependent) and can be scaled up for entire buildings. The simulated results indicate that Middle Eastern cities are particularly suitable for these hybrid systems, generating approximately 1.2 times more power compared to Toronto, Canada. Additionally, we predict the outcome of the possible incorporation of intelligent and automated systems to boost overall energy efficiency toward achieving a sustainable building environment. ينصب تركيز هذا العمل على تحسين أنظمة توليد الطاقة الهجينة الضوئية بالكامل للمباني الموفرة للطاقة والمستدامة، والتي تهدف إلى تحقيق انبعاثات صافية صفرية. يقترح هذا البحث نهجًا هجينًا يجمع بين الألواح الشمسية التقليدية وأنظمة النوافذ الشمسية المتقدمة وبناء أنظمة كهروضوئية متكاملة (BIPV). من خلال تحليل بيانات الأرصاد الجوية واستخدام نماذج المحاكاة، نتوقع مخرجات الطاقة لمدن مختلفة مثل كوالالمبور وسيدني وتورونتو وأوكلاند وكيب تاون والرياض ومدينة الكويت. على الرغم من وجود أوقات استرداد طويلة، إلا أن عمليات المحاكاة التي أجريناها تُظهر أن النظام المدمج المقترح بالكامل يمكن أن يلبي احتياجات الطاقة للمباني الحديثة (ما يصل إلى 78 ٪، اعتمادًا على الموقع) ويمكن توسيع نطاقه للمباني بأكملها. تشير النتائج المحاكاة إلى أن مدن الشرق الأوسط مناسبة بشكل خاص لهذه الأنظمة الهجينة، حيث تولد طاقة أكبر بنحو 1.2 مرة مقارنة بتورونتو، كندا. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، نتوقع نتائج الدمج المحتمل للأنظمة الذكية والآلية لتعزيز كفاءة الطاقة بشكل عام نحو تحقيق بيئة بناء مستدامة.

A number of modern glass and window products based on novel glazing designs, low-emissivity thin-film coatings, and proprietary fluorescent interlayer types have been developed recently. Advanced windows of today can control properties such as thermal emissivity, heat gain, colour, and transparency. In novel glass products, solar energy harvesting through PV integration is also featured, enabled by either patterned-semiconductor thin-film energy conversion surfaces, or by using luminescent concentrator-type approaches to achieve higher transparency. Typically, semitransparent and also highly-transparent PV windows are purpose-designed, for applications in construction industry and agrivoltaics (greenhousing), to include special types of luminescent materials, diffractive microstructures, and customized glazing systems and electric circuitry. Recently, significant progress has been demonstrated in building integrated high-transparency solar windows (featuring visible light transmission of up to 70%, with electric power output Pmax ∼ 30−33 Wp/m2, e.g. ClearVue PV Solar Windows); these are expected to add momentum towards the development of smart cities and advanced agrivoltaics in greenhouse installations. At present (in 2023), these ClearVue window designs are the only type of visually-clear and deployment-ready construction materials capable of providing significant energy savings in buildings, simultaneously with a significant amount of renewable energy generation. The objective of this study is to place the recent industrialised development of ClearVue® PV window systems into a broader context of prior studies in the field of luminescent concentrators, as well as to provide some details on the measured performance characteristics of several ClearVue window design types deployed within the building envelope of a research greenhouse, and to elucidate the corresponding differences in their energy harvesting behaviour. An evaluation of the practical applications potential of these recently developed transparent agrivoltaic construction materials is provided, focussing on the measured renewable energy generation figures and the seasonal trends observed during a long-term study. This article reports on the measured performance characteristics of research greenhouse-based agrivoltaic installation constructed at Murdoch University (Perth, Australia) in early 2021.The solar greenhouse at Murdoch University has demonstrated great potential for commercial food production with significant energy savings due to on-site energy production from its building envelope.

It is now time for the future-generation and advanced greenhouse design practices to address a range of issues, from the energy and land use efficiency to providing plant-optimised growth techniques. In this Encyclopaedia record, we report on the practical development of spectrally selective and specialist-type  advanced metal-dielectric thin-film filters that produce the optimized illumination spectrum when exposed to natural sunlight that can help maximize the biomass productivity of coated-glass greenhouse crops. Our experimental case study has been performed for the lettuce species, Lactuca sativa, L., yielding promising results.

We report on the study of energy-harvesting performance in medium-size (400 cm2) glass-based semitransparent solar concentrators employing edge-mounted photovoltaic modules. Systems using several different types of glazing system architecture and containing embedded diffractive structures are prepared and characterized. The technological approaches to the rapid manufacture of large-area diffractive elements suitable for use in solar window-type concentrators are described. These elements enable the internal deflection and partial trapping of light inside glass-based concentrator windows. We focus on uncovering the potential of pattern-transfer polymer-based soft lithography for enabling both the improved photon collection probability at solar cell surfaces, and the up-scaling of semitransparent solar window dimensions. Results of photovoltaic characterization of several solar concentrators employing different internal glazing-system structure and diffractive elements produced using different technologies are reported and discussed.

A study of photovoltaic solar window technologies is reported and it focuses on their structural features, functional materials, system development, and suitability for use in practical field applications including public infrastructures and agricultural installations. Energy generation performance characteristics are summarized and compared to theory-limit predictions. Working examples of pilot-trial solar window-based installations are described. We also report on achieving electric power outputs of about 25 Wp/m2 from clear and transparent large-area glass-based solar windows.