Abstract
Small-scale systems and integrated concepts are currently being explored to promote the widespread application of solar cooling technologies in buildings. This article seeks to expand application possibilities by exploring the feasibility of solar cooling integrated façades, as decentralized self-sufficient cooling modules on different warm regions. The climate feasibility of solar electric and solar thermal concepts is evaluated based on solar availability and local cooling demands to be met by current technical possibilities. Numerical calculations are employed for the evaluation, considering statistical climate data; cooling demands per orientation from several simulated scenarios; and state-of-the-art efficiency values of solar cooling technologies, from the specialized literature. The main results show that, in general, warm-dry climates and east/west orientations are better suited for solar cooling façade applications, compared to humid regions and north/south orientations. Results from the base scenario show promising potential for solar thermal technologies, reaching a theoretical solar fraction of 100% in several cases. Application possibilities expand when higher solar array area and lower tilt angle on panels are considered, but these imply aesthetical and constructional constraints for façade design. Finally, recommendations are drafted considering prospects for the exploration of suitable technologies for each location, and façade design considerations for the optimization of the solar input per orientation.
Highlights
Solar cooling technologies have gained increasing attention in the last decades, being explored as potential alternatives to conventional systems, in order to cope with rising cooling requirements in the built environment [1,2]
This paper explores the potential for the application of solar cooling integrated façades, as decentralised self-sustaining cooling modules, on different climate contexts, based on solar availability and cooling requirements to be met by current technical possibilities
The paper evaluates the application feasibility of self-sustaining solar cooling façade modules on office or commercial buildings. It focuses on the current performance of selected solar cooling technologies, and their potential to cope with indoor cooling demands by themselves, without the need for complementary building services
Summary
Solar cooling technologies have gained increasing attention in the last decades, being explored as potential alternatives to conventional systems, in order to cope with rising cooling requirements in the built environment [1,2]. Common vapour-compression systems commercially available are highly efficient, compared to current solar cooling systems, but rely on the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), with global warming potential 1430 times that of CO2 [6]. Even though they could be driven by solar-generated electricity, they are not considered within the range of environmentally friendly alternatives addressed under solar cooling systems.
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