Energy balance and performance assessment of PV systems installed at a positive-energy building (PEB) solar energy research centre

The energy balance and performance of all Photovoltaic (PV) systems installed at Fotovoltaica/UFSC solar energy laboratory ( www.fotovoltaica.ufsc.br ) in Florianopolis, Brazil (27° S; 48° W) were demonstrated over time, from Aug/2017 to Feb/2020. The laboratory was designed as a zero-energy building (ZEB) with PV systems installed on rooftops and facades, not maximising annual generation, but to achieve a compromise between aesthetic appeal and the energy output. Further PV systems were installed on the same site in the shapes of a carport, an electric bus (eBus) shelter and charging station, and different ground-mounted PV systems fixed at latitude tilt and single-axis tracking. Monthly analyses were carried out during the period, such as the solar irradiation availability on site, changes in the number of building occupants, the increase of installed capacity of PV systems, and energy generation and consumption. With 111 kWp, the total PV generation in the period could supply 148% of building energy needs and 97% of the Fotovoltaica/UFSC Laboratory (building plus eBus). However, there were some downtime events in certain PV systems due to RD they demonstrate the potential of BIPV in enabling energy positive buildings.