Simplified method for shading-loss analysis in BIPV systems - Part 1: Theoretical study

This paper proposes a simplified method to determine an index to quantify the influence of partial shadings on the performance of BIPV systems based on the relation between the shading percentages and the reduction of the incident irradiation on a given surface. The research is divided in two papers: Part 1: Theoretical study and Part 2: Application in case studies. Part 1 consists in identifying and quantifying the shading on a surface, and relates the fraction of shaded area with the percentage of incident irradiation reduction during the same period, in order to propose a shading index (SI) that represents the energy losses due to shadings on PV systems. The method was developed for a theoretical shaded case study simulated in two cities located at low latitude, tropical regions: Singapore (1.35°N) and Florianópolis-Brazil (27.48°S). Results showed that the shading percentage on the analysed surface on an annual basis is closer to the percentage of incident irradiation reduction at same period than when these values are compared on other time bases, as hourly, daily or monthly. Therefore, in this case, the annual percentage of shading can be adopted as the SI. SI was validated using different computer software packages and it was proved to be a convenient way of estimation the PV generation of similar cases of partially shaded PV systems, that could be used even before the PV electrical desing has been done.