Full project name: TIFAIN - Tessere Integrate di vetro Fotovoltaico per applicazioni Architettoniche INnovative

Research topic: Building-Integrated Photovoltaics glass facade with semi-transparent and colored PV

Period: 2012 - 2014

Funding Body: MIUR and Regione Lombardia

Project Number: Progetto No. 30221157

People: Alessandra Zanelli, Carol Monticelli, Andrea Campioli, Nebojsa Jakica

The main aim of the project TIFAIN was to explore and develop BIPV façade, made of complex profiled glass and Dye-Senzitized Solar Cells (DSSC), with the emphasize on innovative architectural applications. Complex, saw-tooth profile of the glass was designed to control light behavior and particularly allow light trapping inside glass module in order to increase absorption and energy generation of PV cells. Moreover, this specific profile is capable also to control light deflection for improving daylighting and indoor comfort. The focus of Politecnico di Milano and Textile Architecture Network (TAN) as one of the partners was set on different scenarios for architectural application and managing parametric digital design process from optimizing profile section up to designing façade systems. Moreover, TAN carried out optical simulation and characterization of modules and worked on Life cycle assessment.

Many different solutions were considered, including two types of TIFAIN tiles and two application types: movable active shading systems and static Insulated Glazing Units (IGU). TIFAIN 1 is a 10x10cm module with double-sided saw-tooth geometry, while TIFAIN 2 has one side groove surface with the dimensions of 25x35cm. Both types are stacked to back sheet glass to form a same size module with different properties. Moreover, variation of the DSSC color and transparency provides additional design effect that architects can use to customize their designs. All these design options were considered during integrated performance based design process. Such approach allows uncompromised design while improving overall performance of the solutions. This type of high-performance façade offers many benefits and possibilities comparing to the simple IGU and presents one of the preferable façade options for the future Zero Energy Buildings.

The research has been carried out in the areas of optical simulations, daylighting, PV energy yield simulations and LCA. For this purpose, both types of tiles are first subjected to simulation and then fabricated and assembled as a full-scale mock-up to proceed with the validation of simulations and estimation of the façade’s visual quality. This part of the research aims to estimate capabilities and accuracy of current state of the art software such as RADIANCE ray tracing engine to calculate daylighting and irradiance on PV surface. Results showed reasonably good agreement between simulation and experimental measurements, which prove that method is capable for the general purposes of complex BIPV systems.