Performance assessment method for roof-integrated TSSCs

This paper proposes a performance assessment method for roof-integrated two-stage solar concentrators (TSSCs) as thermo-photovoltaic systems using a parametric modeling approach. The productivity of TSSC systems depends on system design and building geometry. Thus, the proposed approach is intended to be a rigorous yet adaptable method to inform decision-making and promote the use of TSSCs as sustainable energy production systems integrated into buildings. The method allows generating various design alternatives by controlling a set of input parameters for building and TSCCs. We validate the method in an illustrative case study of a single-family house (California). 20,736 design options were generated featuring various combinations of the design parameters. These were evaluated in terms of the annual average load match index (av.LMI), the number of solar cells, and the covered roof area. We further perform a sensitivity analysis to find the relative importance of design parameters and discuss our results in terms of maximizing av.LMI and minimizing number of cells and covered roof area. The method enables designers to adopt a performance-based approach to improve buildings and TSSCs. Hence, the method serves as a foundation for future employing generative design approaches to support informed decision-making processes in early design stages