Parametric design of a residential building system through solar energy potential: the case of Guelma, Algeria

Abstract

To evaluate the potential of retrofitting roofs of residential buildings in Algeria with building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). A case study of a family residential building in the city of Guelma, was selected to receive building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems as a retrofit to their roofs using Rhinoceros software and plugins Grasshopper, Ladybug, and Honeybee, adding photovoltaic panels on the roof taking into account the study of solar radiation analysis on the building, and meteorological data from Meteonorm Software 7.3. The method used, is based on measured data for final energy consumption (yearly average of 14600 kWh), building morphology, and photovoltaic module parameters. The results of the renovation of roofs with building-integrated photovoltaic solutions are presented for the existing residential building, it is also shown that a small photovoltaic area on the roofs can meet the demand of the buildings. The results identify the aspects that need to be improved in the development of future design tools and highlight the importance of integrating parametric design software and simulation tools for BIPV systems at the preliminary design stage, to ensure good building performance, both in terms of comfort and energy performance.