Jump to main content.

Research Project Search
 Enter Search Term:
   
 NCER Advanced Search

Final Report: Accurate Building Integrated Photovoltaic System (BIPV) Architectural Design Tool

EPA Grant Number: SU831895
Title: Accurate Building Integrated Photovoltaic System (BIPV) Architectural Design Tool
Investigators: Singh, Pritpal , Kantamsetti, Shveta , Raskauskas, Mary , Torres, Vanessa
Institution: Villanova University
EPA Project Officer: Nolt-Helms, Cynthia
Project Period: September 1, 2004 through May 31, 2005
Project Amount: $7,066
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity, and the Planet (2004)
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Engineering and Environmental Chemistry

Description:

Objective:

Our project aims to create a “user friendly” software package that may be used to accurately design BIPV systems for use by architects to predict the performance of such systems. This package would allow the user to input their building location and information on surrounding buildings and receive accurate predictions on energy production.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

  1. The simulation results of AccuRender matched to those from ECOTECT.
  2. The scaled model produced similar shading effects as those in the computer simulations and the output power obtained from the solar panels mounted on the physical model is in close comparison with the computer simulation results.

Conclusions:

Software tools like AutoCAD, AccuRender and ECOTECT are used to model the buildings in an urban development. These models were simulated to estimate the total solar resource available to the BIPV system at different times of the day and year including reflection and shading effects from the surrounding geometry. The results were incorporated into Matlab to estimate the total electrical power generated. The results were verified against a scaled physical model. The validation of the computer modeling through comparison of the simulated performance of the system with measurements made on a scaled physical model of the system was successful.

Proposed Phase II objectives and strategies:

Our Phase II objectives are an extension of what has been completed in Phase I. We plan to approach the next phase through this series of tasks:

  1. Further Development of AutoCAD, Accurender, and Ecotect Simulation software;
  2. Integration of Matlab and AutoCAD;
  3. Energy Production Modeling;
  4. Improve Physical Model to Enhance Accuracy in Validation of Simulated Results;
  5. and Economic Analysis.

Supplemental Keywords:

sustainable development, renewable energy, pollution prevention, modeling, , Sustainable Industry/Business, Scientific Discipline, RFA, POLLUTION PREVENTION, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Environment, Energy, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry and Materials Science, energy conservation, green design, green building design, clean energy, computer models, photovoltaics, solar energy, architectual design, alternative building technology, alternative energy source, software design tool, energy efficiency, environmentally conscious design
Relevant Websites:

http://www59.homepage.villanova.edu/shveta.kantamsetti/P3-Project.htm exit EPA
http://www59.homepage.villanova.edu/shveta.kantamsetti/P3-Pictures.htm exit EPA

Progress and Final Reports:
Original Abstract

Top of page

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.