Performance of building integrated photovoltaic thermal system with PV module installed at optimum tilt angle and influenced by shadow

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) thermal system is an efficient system for urban applications to convert a building to net zero energy buildings by utilizing solar insolation. In this study, HDKR/S (Hay, Davies, Klucher, Reindl/shadow) model is developed which is a modified HDKR model where influence of shadow is incorporated in the mathematical model. Four discrete rectangular buildings situated in four directions (North, South, East and West) around a BIPV thermal system are considered for creating adverse effect of shadow. Variation of width (B), storey height (H) and horizontal distance (D) of these surrounded buildings are taken into account for evaluating optimum tilt angle, insolation and performance of BIPV thermal system by introducing corresponding shadow effects. The performance of the system is adversely affected because of the presence of surrounded building located at close proximity i.e., due to higher influence of shading and sky view blocking effects. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.