Multi-objective optimization of building integrated photovoltaic solar shades

Abstract

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems allow solar panels to perform additional functions beyond energy generation for buildings, such as regulating interior lighting conditions and incoming radiative heat. However, optimizations of BIPV solar shades generally do not consider all of these factors, instead often focusing on power production alone. In this work, we explore a design framework for optimizing the configuration of BIPV shading devices to maximize a combination of power generation, interior daylighting quality, and radiative heating and cooling loads. This is applied to a simple room in five different locations and climates, as well as a case study of an office building. The low computational cost of this model allows for the full mapping of the influence of all design parameters on the value of the system, while demonstrating less than 7% error in predicting the performance of a benchmark experimental system. It is observed that the location and building geometry have significant influences on the relative values of heat, daylighting, and power production, with the overall combined value varying by up to 40% between the compared climates. The optimal design in many locations depend on user preferences as well, with many efficient solutions possible for varying trade-offs between the values of natural light vs. energy savings (a difference of up to 50%), as well as the system upfront cost vs. performance, further reinforcing the importance of tailored building-specific design for BIPV solar shades.