Study of the optimal orientation of vertical surfaces in different thermal floors in Colombia for solar energy harvesting

Abstract

The use of solar energy incident on vertical surfaces in building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems is shown as an opportunity to contribute to achieve sustainable energy consumption in buildings in urban spaces. In this study, a computational analysis of the optimal orientation for vertical surfaces in three thermal floors of Colombia is performed, using clear sky conditions and meteorological data. The results show the need to position the designs of vertical surfaces in a range of azimuthal angles given the energy variability for each city, both in the morning and evening hours and throughout the years. In addition, the energy generation potential of vertical surfaces is analyzed with respect to a horizontal panel considering the maximum radiant energy received, finding that a single vertical surface can receive 17% less radiant energy than a horizontal panel, but when considering a pair oriented according to the optimal angles, it can be exceeded up to 60%.