Analyzing the effectiveness of building integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) to reduce the energy consumption in Dubai

Abstract

In Dubai, 38.9 % of the total energy consumption is related to buildings, and the high-rise building sector is key to energy efficiency. BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic) can be a very efficient alternative in Dubai because of building load reduction and power generation. This paper aims to investigate energy efficiency according to the number of floors with BIPV application. As a methodology, an analysis model for office use was used with the curtain wall with a floor height of 3.6 m, floor area of 400 m2, and a window area ratio to wall area ratio of 80 %. Energy Plus Version 9.0 and TRNSYS were used as evaluation tools. The physical properties of windows and doors in the analysis model were assumed to be low-E double-glazed glass with a Solar Radiation Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.564, a visible light transmittance of 47.2 %, and a thermal transmittance of 1.760 W/m2K. The result showed that when the alternatives of the window replacement type, exterior wall finishing type, and hybrid type BIPV system are applied, heating and cooling energy consumption is reduced by 13.2 % to 32.8 %. It was proven that applying BIPV was effective in high-rise office buildings. It is practical to replace windows and apply light-transmitting amorphous thin film Photovoltaic (PV) double-layered, double-layered Low-E, or triple Low-E windows, replace exterior wall finishing materials with crystalline PV, or use a mixture of both. The simulation results show that applying a roof-top BAPV (Building-Applied Photovoltaic) system is only practical for low-rise buildings.