Building Integrated Photovoltaic Thermal Systems

Building Integrated Photovoltaic Thermal Systems: Fundamentals, Designs, and Applications presents various applications, system designs, manufacturing, and installation techniques surrounding how to build integrated photovoltaics. This book provides a comprehensive understanding of all system components, long-term performance and testing, and the commercialization of building integrated photovoltaic thermal (BIPVT) systems. By addressing potential obstacles with current photovoltaic (PV) systems, such as efficiency bottlenecks and product heat harvesting, the authors not only cover the fundamentals and design philosophy of the BIPVT technology, but also introduce a hybrid system for building integrated thermal electric roofing.

Topics covered in Building Integrated Photovoltaic Thermal Systems are useful for scientists and engineers in the fields of photovoltaics, electrical and civil engineering, materials science, sustainable energy harvesting, solar energy, and renewable energy production.

• Contains system integration methods supported by industry developments
• Includes real-life examples and functional projects as case studies for comparison
• Covers system design challenges, offering unique solutions

Huiming Yin is an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at Columbia University, and the director of the NSF Center for Energy Harvesting Materials and Systems at Columbia Site. His research specializes in the multiscale/physics characterization of civil engineering materials and structures with experimental, analytical, and numerical methods. His research interests are interdisciplinary and range from structures and materials to innovative construction technologies and test methods. He has taught courses in energy harvesting, solid mechanics, and composite materials at Columbia University.

Mehdi Zadshir is a research assistant in the Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at Columbia University. He received his master’s degree from Columbia University in civil engineering and is currently pursuing his doctoral study. His research interests include interdisciplinary areas of infrastructure materials, energy harvesting by use of photovoltaics, materials by design, and long-term performance testing of building and construction materials.

Frank Pao is an entrepreneur in the solar energy industry―his company, Atlantis Energy Systems Inc., won the Frost & Sullivan 2009 World Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Niche Player of the Year Award. He has served as the owner and board member of five companies and has been successful in promoting, manufacturing, and deploying solar building integrated technologies throughout the world from China to the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, and South Africa. He is one of the pioneers in the United States to introduce, manufacture, and deploy solar building integrated technologies.