Shadow analysis for BIPV and PIPV systems in a virtual environment

This paper presents the shading features of the software tool `VR4PV´ which has been developed in the virtual reality laboratory at University of Twente. It enables researchers and designers to evaluate PV systems, BIPV or PV powered products in various phases ranging from the design phase to the performance evaluation phase by using a virtual 3D environment. This study aims to show the capabilities of the VR4PV software tool in the design phase of PV-powered products regarding complex shading conditions in the built environment. In VR4PV shadows of surrounding objects can be taken into account to assess the power output of PV cells on a product´s surface at different positions. To evaluate these shading features the case of a PV powered street light has been assessed which is located inside a courtyard of office buildings. Results show that the VR4PV can be applied to easily find an optimal configuration of the PV cells during the design stage of this PV powered lamp.