Energy performance of a solar hybrid collector system in a multistory apartment building

Solar co-generation applied in buildings has the advantage of increasing the energy output per unit installed collector area. This paper investigates a centralized photovoltaic and hot-water collector system that can serve as a water pre-heating system for a multistory apartment building in a warm climate region. Collectors are mounted on vertical facades. Electricity generated by the system is consumed by the circulation pumps and the water heaters. The facade integration, together with the heat and electricity co-generation, are features embedding both active and passive solar technology. A numerical model that analyzes its energy performance in an apartment building in Hong Kong is described. The study has been based on practical design requirements. It is estimated that, with the use of amorphous-silicon hybrid collectors which cover two-thirds of the west- and south-facing facades, the system is able to support one-third of the thermal energy required for water heating.