Modeling and assessing BIPV envelopes using parametric Rhinoceros plugins Grasshopper and Ladybug

Abstract

Abstract Dissemination of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems shall benefit from the education of professional architects and students, currently used to Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment, which includes design tools that may allow integrating solar energy generation in the building’s early design phases. This paper presents a feasibility study using Rhinoceros CAD software and plugins Grasshopper and Ladybug to assess BIPV envelopes intended to retrofit 7 institutional office buildings in Brasilia, Brazil. The method considers measured data of end-use energy consumption (yearly average 155.31 kWh/m2), building morphology and central urban environment characterization. Results for retrofitting facades and roofs with BIPV solutions for existing institutional office buildings are presented, both from an energetic and an architectural point of view. The evaluation of the results singles out aspects to be improved in the development of future design tools and highlights the importance of the integration between CAD 3D modeling software and the simulation tools for BIPV systems.