Assessing thermal performance of an atrium integrated with photovoltaics.

Evaluates by measurement and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modelling, the thermal performance of an atrium integrated with photovoltaic (PV) modules, situated at the Jubilee Campus of the UK University of Nottingham. The project monitored the internal and external environments of the atrium, and applied CFD to the prediction of its thermal performance. Investigated the effect of ventilation strategies on the performance of PV arrays. Found that CFD modelling showed that for effective cooling of roof mounted PV arrays, the air inlet should be situated close to the roof.