Evaluating thermal performance of a photovoltaic integrated roofing system for livestock buildings: Comparison with conventional coverings

An alternative constructive solution for photovoltaic integration in the roof, which enhances thermal performance of the building during the hot period is presented. To reduce the diurnal heat load and to increase the capacity of discharging heat through the roof at night, the proposed roofing solution was equipped with a ventilated interspace. The roof consisted of two different layers: the top cover was made up of PV modules (m-Si) and the lower layer consisted of fissured wooden boards. A scale model was realized to test the performance of this solution during the hot period in comparison with other two different types of covers: simple PV modules; insulating sandwich panels.