Effects of Power Optimizer Application in a Building-Integrated Photovoltaic System According to Shade Conditions

A building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system produces power using photovoltaic (PV) modules as building exterior materials, whose architectural performance serves the same functions as those of existing building materials. Most relevant studies targeted general PV modules used in the building-mounted and -attached types. This study aims to integrate the building elevation-type BIPV system and exterior materials to secure both exterior material performance and PV electrical performance by embedding a power optimization device in an integrated system of BIPV modules and exterior materials. Thus, the advantages of economy, safety, aesthetics, and ease of maintenance can be achieved. In this study, experiments were conducted on elevation-type BIPV modules with and without a power optimizer, that is, a DC/DC converter, under various shade conditions, and the power loss rate of the BIPV system was analyzed. The power optimizer-equipped BIPV system was experimentally observed to have a PV power-loss rate approximately 2-3 times lower than that of the BIPV system without a power optimizer when the shade ratio of one module was approximately 10-75%. This exterior material-integrated BIPV-specific power optimization device reduces dependence on fossil fuels for power production and improves energy sustainability, contributing to the spread of zero-energy buildings and carbon neutrality.