Hybrid PCM and Transparent Solar Cells in Zero Energy Buildings

Abstract

Zero energy building design could be realized by passive design. Having energy conservation concepts and active mechanical renewable energy generation systems could be considered as passive technique. This concept becomes a very interesting technique in countries that consume a lot of energy for their domestic sector. The purpose of the recent paper is to investigate the effect of hybrid construction material that merges phase change material, PCM walls for heat load minimization and transparent solar cells, and TSC in the windows for electricity generation for the purpose of illumination in such typical design. PCMs could be used for storing thermal energy and utilizing this energy during different annual seasons by absorption or release mechanisms to keep the building’s inside temperature at thermal comfort state. While TSC,s are substances that allow partial Sun light penetration for illumination during day and use the other part for electricity generation at night. The paper introduce a typical architectural design for residential building that utilizes such type of constructional material for energy saving and analyzes thermal effectiveness of using PCM and power production effectiveness of using TSC as passive technique integrated with the zero-energy building envelope. Proper modeling tool has been used to investigate the impact of these materials on the thermal comfort perceived by the occupants. Results show that using such type of hybrid materials reduces annual energy consumption. It has been concluded that the passive structural heat isolation and power production material is a very effective manner in countries like Iraq which has severe temperature differences between summer and winter seasons.