Climate-zone-dependent applicability of semi-transparent cadmium-telluride-type solar cells as a building material with display characteristics

The applicability of solar signage windows that concurrently generate electricity upon installation in buildings, exhibit display functionality using the generated electricity, and transmit light was evaluated. Four cities representing different US-based climate zones were selected for the analysis: 1A-Miami (Arizona), 2B-Phoenix (Florida), 3C-San Francisco (California), and 5A-Ann Arbor (Michigan). Five types of solar signage windows with different characteristics were designed, and five window-to-wall ratios were considered to analyze the indoor environment and energy consumed by a building by using the DesignBuilder simulation program. The results showed that the solar signage windows were most effective in 3C-San Francisco and least effective in 1A-Miami and 5A-Ann Arbor. According to the amount of electricity generated, an energy-saving rate of up to 17,970 kWh/y (105%) was observed in 3C, highlighting the potential of applying solar signage windows to realize zero-energy buildings in this area. These findings emphasize the remarkable potential of solar signage windows as exterior materials for buildings.