Towards a bio-inspired design of a photovoltaic facade

Abstract

Facing the challenges of climate change, energy sovereignty and urban densification, operation of local resources and available areas remains an important issue. Integration of photovoltaic components on building envelope is therefore an essential solution to produce manage energy flexibility and obtain Nearly Zero Energy Building. In order to optimize permanently their electrical and thermal performances facing building needs, photovoltaic facades functionalities should adapt and evolve with weather conditions. Bio-inspired design is a breakthrough approach to provide adaptability to physical, mechanical and optical properties of photovoltaic envelope. Therefore, this paper presents the thermal modelling and numerical parametric studies in the case of a photovoltaic bifacial ventilated facade realized with the purpose to identify properties that should acquire adaptive features. Physics related to the identified parameters allow paving the way for the search and the selection of suitable biological adaptive mechanisms. The results of this study indicate that radiative and optical properties of the photovoltaic ventilated facade are the most influential and conflict-inducing parameters on both its electrical and thermal performances. Thus, to provide adaptability to those properties, biological search should be led on live species dealing with extreme heat and radiation and developing adaptive functions aiming to control solar radiation intake.