Optical model for multilayer glazing systems: Application to laminated glass and photovoltaic modules

Abstract

This article provides theoretical developments broadening the scope of previous optical simulation models for multilayer glazing systems. The applicability of existing models will be extended through additional characterization of the multilayer optical components from global spectrophotometric (UV–vis–NIR) measurements. A more complete interlayer film characterization, including reflectivity in the film–glass interface, will be provided. Singular solutions of the related equation systems will be derived for situations involving components with very low or null transmissivity. As a contribution to the fundamentals of the formalism, the condition relating the symmetry of the transmittance of the system with the symmetry of the transmissivity of its optical components will be studied. Finally, with the extension for the calculation of energy fluxes through the components of a multilayer system, analytical expressions for the components absorptivity will be derived. These results are particularly useful to quantify differences in energy absorption of the constituents of a laminated glass, as a tool to define, from the glazing design phase, the thermal and mechanical processing needed for each glazing component. Additionally, the model provides a procedure for the calculation of the absorptivity of encapsulated photovoltaic cells, which is directly related to cell efficiency in each particular configuration.