This proof-of-concept study proposes a photovoltaic transparent vacuum insulation panel (PV-TVIP) and evaluates its heat transfer and power generation characteristics with increased temperatures, and light transmission characteristics for visible light and ultraviolet wavelengths. The study was conducted with a climate-controlled chamber mimicking the common temperature range of Sapporo, Japan. The average TVIP heat flux was measured to be 65–75 W/m2 with a U-value of 1.95–2.3 W/(m2∙K). Compared to earlier measurements to see the effect of seasonal atmospheric conditions to the quality of the TVIP, it was determined that the TVIP manufactured during winter conducted less heat, assumed to be caused by decreased humidity. Placing the PV between the TVIP and a glass pane increased the operating temperature by 26.06 °C and decreased power generation by 13%. Afterwards, the transparency of the TVIP and PV-TVIP were measured under a bright light therapy lamp, showing that TVIP reduced the amount of most visible light wavelengths by 50% and the PV-TVIP by 90%. UV radiation was respectively reduced by approximately 78% and 100%. The results show that while PV-TVIP shows potential as a BAPV window retrofit solution, its manufacturing requires optimized, low-humidity conditions during all phases of the manufacturing process.
Hirvonen et al. (Mon,) studied this question.