Photovoltaic Cell

ADVANCED BUILDING MATERIAL

Shritam Shubhashish Selma | 114AR0016 | Semester -7

 Photovoltaic Cell

Contents
Introduction: ............................................................................................................................. 2
Elements: ................................................................................................................................... 2
 Glass Lites ...................................................................................................................... 2
 Solar cells ....................................................................................................................... 2
 junction box ................................................................................................................... 3
 add-ons .......................................................................................................................... 3
Mechanism: ............................................................................................................................... 3
...................................................................................................................................................4
Properties: .................................................................................................................................4
Applications: .............................................................................................................................4
Cost Information: ...................................................................................................................... 5
Advantages: ............................................................................................................................... 5
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................ 5
References: ................................................................................................................................6

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 Photovoltaic Cell

Introduction:
The importance and use of Glass as a building material in this era of Contemporary architecture is
humongous. The glass provides passive properties to the building as well as the conventional
glazing. However, using the glass just for aesthetic purpose in a vast amount in a building hugely
increases the HVAC footprint of the building and results in the consumption of large amount of
electrical energy. To counter this kind of situation an alternative to the conventional curtain glass
can be used which is the “Photovoltaic Cell”.

The Photovoltaic cell is a special glass with integrated solar cells that convert solar
energy into electricity. This means that the power for an entire building can be produced within
the roof and façade areas.

Elements:
The Photovoltaic Cell consists of various elements, which are:

 Glass lites
 Solar cells
 Interlayers
 Junction box
 Add-ons

 GLASS LITES
Pieces of glass used to create the window or door of, for example,
windows, doors, automobiles.

 SOLAR CELLS
The solar cells used can be divided based on the type of silicon used

o Crystalline:
 Monocrystalline:
 are opaque, blue, or dark grey to black
 expensive because they are made from silicon
crystals in a complicated manufacturing process.
 Poly or Multi-crystalline:
 mostly blue or opaque
 cheaper because they are made from poured silicon
blocks

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 Photovoltaic Cell

 According to composition, the result can be either a

transparent, translucent or a non-transparent
module.
o Amorphous:
 are transparent, can be used as window glazing in usual
windows, sunspaces, they can be integrated into roofs etc.
 Transparent modules can be also part of energy
efficient glazing, where they are used instead of usual glass.

 JUNCTION BOX
Electrical junction boxes are attached to the PV glass unit, either at the
edge of the laminated glass, or in the rear lite of the composition.
Each PV glass is supplied with its own junction box. The junction box can
be bipolar or monopolar. The bipolar is the most commonly used for PV
glass. The monopolar junction box requires two units per module. The
photovoltaic glass units do not require framing system any different from
that of the conventional glass. This allows the adaptability and multi-
functionality as to where and how the PV glass is utilized.

 ADD-ONS
Refer to the other configurations for the Photovoltaic glass that depending
on the performance desired for the project, may be required. Spacers are a
typical add-on to improve the U-value of the PV glass unit;, counting on an
double pane unit and considering the coatings applied, the photovoltaic
glass can reach U-values as low as 0.13 BTU/h*Ft2*Fº

Mechanism:
a photovoltaic cell is created when a positively charged (P-type) layer of silicon is placed
against a negatively charged (N-type) layer of silicon to create a diode and this diode is
connected in a circuit via metal conductors on the top and bottom of the silicon sandwich.
The cell or multiple cells are the core of the photovoltaic panel. A glass cover is placed
over the photovoltaic cell to protect it from the elements while allowing sunlight to pass
through to the cell.

An additional plastic anti-reflective sheet is often used to enhance the effect of the
glass cover and anti-reflective coating of the cell to block reflection. A panel backing
(typically plastic) and frame complete the photovoltaic panel, holding all the pieces
together and protecting it from damage during installation.

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 Photovoltaic Cell

Fig.1 Crystalline Silicon fig 2. Amorphous silicon

Properties:
1. Creates energy from sunlight and decreases the effective cost
2. It filters the UV and IR rays
3. Provides thermal insulation to the building
4. Provides efficiency and aesthetics to the building

Applications:
The applications of Photovoltaic Cell are limited to certain parts of Europe including Spain
and England and to the USA only. As the transportation cost is high the use of the cell has
been limited to only a certain part. Currently a Europe based company named as OYNX is
the sole producer of this cell.

The use of Photovoltaic cell in the ventilated façade in the building in fig.3 in Spain can be
seen and also the use of it as a canopy can be seen in fig. 4.

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 Photovoltaic Cell

Cost Information:
The cost of photovoltaic glass varies depending on:

1. Total PV Glass Sq. Ft.

2. PV Glass dimensions
3. PV Glass build up

Prices for the PV Glass can range from $15/Sq. ft. for 1/4” PV + 1/4” laminated PV
glass, up to $26/Sq ft for photovoltaic double glazing units. Cost of the structural
system: photovoltaic glass is normally frameless. It is compatible with most
commercial framing/structural systems in the market. Therefore, there are no extra
costs associated to the framing system.

Advantages:
 Electricity production
 Energy saving due to insulation properties (up to 40%)
 Greater insulation performance
 Elimination of thermal bridges
 Thermal inner comfort
 Reduction of acoustic pollution
 Wall and roof protection
 Greater energy yield under low irradiation conditions
 Greater energy yield under high temperature conditions
 Attractive and innovative design

Conclusion:
The Photovoltaic Cell not only gives an aesthetic look to the building but also provides an
energy generating way which integrates so well with the building. Also one of the major
aspect of the material is that it provides the most important element of all which is
“sustainability”.

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 Photovoltaic Cell

References:
“PHOTOVOLTAIC VENTILATEDFAÇADE AND ROOF.” Photovoltaic Ventilated Facade
and Roof - Onyx Solar PV Glass, www.onyxsolar.com/photovoltaic-ventilated-facade.html.

Glazette. “Photovoltaic Glass | Insulating Glass | laminated Glass - Glazette.” Glass Portal,
www.glazette.com/Glass-Knowledge-Bank-71/Photovoltaic-Glass.html.

“Building-Integrated photovoltaics.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Oct. 2017,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building-integrated_photovoltaics.

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