Development of a high performance facade element

This paper presents an overview of the R&D activities for the Bâti-Tech project that concerns integration of solar thermal collectors into an existing, commercialised multifunctional facade element. The study involves both monitoring and test bench measurements along with dynamic simulations of the facade element integrated in a building. The existing facade concept includes thermal and acoustic insulation and PV production. The overall objective of the project is to modify the current facade element and integrate a solar thermal collecting function for building heating purposes. This project, funded by the Canton of Vaud, was launched at the end of 2013 within the framework of its "100 millions pour les énergies renouvelables et l’efficacité énergétique" programme. Research has indicated that the PV performance of the investigated facade is greatly affected by shading of the near surrounding. Measured stagnation temperatures of the PV panel of the facade element have also shown a limited potential for using heat from these modules for heating applications unless combined with a heat pump. Simulations have further suggested that the use of flat plate systems as a collecting device integrated in the building envelope could be interesting for space heating and domestic hot water preparation. The study is now focusing on the modification and integration of a solar thermal collector into the existing facade concept