Temperature and Energy Yield Study of Façade Building Integrated PV Modules in Hot Desert Region

In this study, a comparative analysis was conducted for building integrated PV (BIPV) modules. The DEWA BIPV Cube, installed in 2017, is an example of applying passive cooling techniques in BIPV. It features a double-skin facade that allows natural ventilation conditions for the back side of PV modules. Temperature and energy yield were measured continuously on two different module types, crystalline Si (C-Si) and Cu(In, Ga)(Se, S)2 (CIGS). C-Si modules have lower module operating temperatures than CIGS modules. The maximum temperature for both types was slightly above 70°C (Level 1 of IEC TS 63126). C-Si modules still obtain higher energy yields, although C-Si has a higher temperature coefficient. The results of this study indicate that C-Si modules have lower power degradation rates in facades with about l%/year, while CIGS modules degrade up to three times faster than C-Si modules.