Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Solar Photovoltaic/Thermal Technologies
and Their Application in Building
Retrofitting
Xudong Zhao and Xingxing Zhang
Abstract In this chapter, the global market potential of solar thermal, photovol-
taic (PV) and combined photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) technologies on current stage
and near future was overviewed. The concept of PV/T technology and the theory
behind the PV/T operation were briefly introduced. Evaluation standards for
technical, economic and environmental performance of the PV/T systems were
individually addressed. A comprehensive introduction of the R&D achievements
and practical applications of the PV/T technology was illustrated. The PV/T
technologies were critically analysed in terms of type and research methodology.
Opportunities for further improvement in PV/T technology were identified. This
chapter helps to bring forward the barriers remaining in PV/T field, untangle the
practical applications of PV/T technology in building retrofitting, establish the
standards of PV/T design/installation, identify new research directions and pro-
mote its market penetration throughout the world.
1 Introduction
The global energy consumption has been steadily growing over the past 40 years.
In 2008, the total annually consumed energy reached 474 exajoules
(474 9 1,018 J), of which 80-90 % is from combustion of fossil fuels (BP
2009
).
Despite the recent energy review (Enerdata
2009
) indicated that the world energy
consumption was decreased by 1.1 % in 2009 due to the unexpected global eco-
nomic recession, energy consumption in several primary developing countries,
