A review paper on an empirical method of solar roof tiles for thermal energy analysis applied in residential structures with phase change materials

Abstract

The integration of solarcellsinto construction materials, such roof tiles, isgaining traction. Nevertheless, solarcells' conversion efficiencyistemperature-dependent, and a high temperaturewouldlowerit. This study examines the functionality of mortar roof tilesthat have builtinsolarcells and safety glass. To control the temperature of the solar cells, phase modifying materials (P CM) are added to the first roof tiles at a concentration of 3% by weight.For solar roof tiles, the impact ofPhase change materials on the generation of solar-to-electrical power isassessed, and life cycle costanalysisiscarried out to determine the viabilityfrom an economicstandpoint.During six summerdays, the electricalenergy production of the solartileswith PCM appliedwas 4.1% higherthanthat of the tileswithout the component modification material. In contrast, during six winterdays, the improvementisbetween 2.2 and 4.3%. With the cost of the inverterincluded, the solar roof tileswith Phase change materials have an economicalpaybackperiod of 5.7 years. The application of Phase change materialsraises the initial cost of roof tiles by 1.2% ;nevertheless, the paybackperiodispredicted to bethreemonths shorter thanthat of the equivalentwithout PCM, given an overallimprovement in energy production of 4.1%.Whilemany countries are takingsteps to reducetheiremissions, the IEA’slatest report on global and carbonemissionsshowed an increase of 1.7 percent in emissionsyear-onyear2018 to 33.1 billion tons (IEA, 2019). Australia's 2018 increase in carbondioxideequivalentemissions of 0.7% raisesseriousconcerns about the countrysability to meetitsemissionreductioncommitmentunder the Paris Agreement (Cox, 2019).

Keywords

• phase change materials
• thermal energy
• solar tiles
• roof tiles