West Facade Research Articles

Optimizing Solar Power Generation in Urban Industrial Blocks: The Impact of Block Typology and PV Material Performance

The block-scale application of photovoltaic technology in cities is becoming a viable solution for renewable energy utilization. The rapid urbanization process has provided urban buildings with a colossal development potential for solar energy in China, especially in industrial areas that provide more space for the integration of PV equipment. In developing solar energy resources, the block layout and the PV materials are two critical factors affecting the distribution of solar radiation and generation. However, few studies have analyzed how to select the most suitable PV materials for different layouts of industrial blocks to obtain the best generation. This study considered the layout of industrial blocks and PV materials simultaneously, and the generation yield was calculated when combined. A total of 40 real industrial block cases were constructed, and radiation distribution data on building surfaces of different block cases were calculated. Data on both were combined to calculate the generation of different PV materials for each block type. The findings indicated that single-story industrial blocks possessed the highest potential for solar radiation, primarily due to the higher percentage of roof area. The influence of PV materials on the installation rate of different building facades varied, with the installation rate of the west facade being the most impacted by PV performance and the roof being the least impacted. Using different PV materials in industrial blocks could lead to a 59.2% difference in solar generation capacity. For single-layer industrial blocks, mono crystalline and poly crystalline silicon were preferable to achieve higher power generation. In contrast, multi-story and high-rise industrial blocks were best suited for a-Si and CIGS to attain higher cost performance. The methods and results of this study guided the selection and installation of PV equipment in various block typologies, thereby improving the refinement of solar resource development, maximizing solar resource utilization, and promoting the development of energy conservation and carbon reduction in cities.

A simplified modeling method for studying the thermal performance of buildings with vertical greening systems

Vertical greening systems (VGS) are considered an effective strategy to enhance the insulation performance of the building envelope. Existing methods predicting the performance of this strategy usually require a combination of mathematical modeling and building performance simulation, hence difficult for practical use. To simplify this work, this study has proposed a prediction method requiring building simulation only, by considering VGS as a shading component in the simulation work. To compare its performance, a model using conventional methods has also been proposed. A further simplification by neglecting the impact of transpiration has been investigated as well. To justify the implementation of the new method, it has been used to optimize the design of VGS for buildings located in the hot summer and cold winter areas in China. The validation result confirmed the accuracies of both methods, with the simpler method giving an insignificant lower accuracy than the conventional method, which can be compensated by its simpler prediction procedure. The implementation justification showed that for buildings in the HSCW area, VGS is suggested to be installed on the west facade, with a leaf area index of 4. This can help to reduce the heat transfer of the wall by 56.6%.

The effect of living wall systems’ variables on the energy consumption of buildings

PurposeLiving walls (LWs), vegetated walls with an integrated growth layer behind, are being increasingly incorporated in buildings. Examining plant characteristics’ comparative impacts on LWs’ energy efficiency-related thermal behavior was aimed, considering that studies on their relative effects are limited. LWs of varying leaf albedo, leaf transmittance and leaf area index (LAI) were studied for Antalya, Turkey for typical days of four seasons.Design/methodology/approachDynamic simulations run by Envi-met were used to assess the plant characteristics’ influence on seasonal and orientation-based heat fluxes. After model calibration, a sensitivity analysis was conducted through 112 simulations. The minimum, mean and maximum values were investigated for each plant characteristic. Energy need (regardless of orientation), temperature and heat flux results were compared among different scenarios, including a building without LW, to evaluate energy efficiency and variables’ impacts.FindingsLWs reduced annual energy consumption in Antalya, despite increasing energy needs in winter. South and west facades were particularly advantageous for energy efficiency. The impacts of leaf albedo and transmittance were more significant (44–46%) than LAI (10%) in determining LWs’ effectiveness. The changes in plant characteristics changed the energy needs up to ca 1%.Research limitations/implicationsThis study can potentially contribute to generating guiding principles for architects considering LW use in their designs in hot-humid climates.Originality/valueThe plant characteristics’ relative impacts on energy efficiency, which cannot be easily determined by experimental studies, were examined using parametric simulation results regarding three plant characteristics.

Parametric design of photovoltaic louver integrated shading devices for west facade windows of office buildings in central China

ABSTRACT In order to improve the shading performance and power generation effect of Photovoltaic shading integrated devices (PVSDs) on the west facade of buildings in China, a multi-objective optimization design method is proposed in this paper. Taking a west-facing office building in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, as an example, a parametric model of photovoltaic (PV) louvers for windows on the west facade is established, and parametric design research is carried out on the energy-saving potential of PV louver shading systems. Based on the optimization objectives of power generation of PV louvers, indoor thermal discomfort hours, building cooling load and lighting energy consumption, the performance of the west facade office with PVSD under different design strategies was simulated, and the optimal design strategy was determined according to the preference of decision makers. Compared with the basic type without a non-shading model, the indoor lighting energy consumption of the optimized west facade PVSD is slightly increased. However, overall performance is improved, with a 35% reduction in cooling load, a decrease of 804.59 kWh in total energy consumption, and a shortened summer thermal discomfort time of 404 hours. The power generation of PV louvers can replace 46% of the total energy consumption of the room. The results show that the installation of PVSD on the west facade window is important for alleviating the overheating inside the room and improving the energy-saving and power generation potential of the room.

Optimal Design of Tilted Building Envelope Considering Air Conditioning Energy Demand, Daylight Utilization and Glare Protection—Case Study

An important energy-saving method to optimize building envelope design is the integration of local climate characteristics. This study attempts to find sloped facade configurations to balance air conditioning energy demand and daylight utilization for four directions in an area with a hot climate. Tilt angle dependence of the air conditioning energy demand, useful daylight illuminance (UDI) and daylight glare index (DGI) are selected to investigate the acceptance thresholds of the tilt angle. The final facade’s configuration is achieved by employing the graphical optimization method. An acceptable solution that balances better daylight performance and less energy consumption by air conditioning is developed. Due to the considered city being located in a low-latitude area with great daylight availability as well as a fully dimmable light control strategy, unbearable glare reduction can be achieved by benefiting from the sloped facades, without necessarily sacrificing much usable daylight. Meanwhile, there is no obvious increase in the demand for lighting energy consumption, and a good outward view is preserved. The sloped rather than vertical facade provides natural solar shading to the east-, south- and west-oriented windows while allowing low-angle winter solar heat to warm the building space. Tilt angles between 35°and 40° are preferred for the east facade, and smaller tilt angles of between 30°and 35° are recommended for the south facade. Larger tilt angles of between 40°and 45° are preferred for the west facade. However, the north-facing facade’s outward tilt would cause an undesirable increase in air conditioning energy demand. The annual air conditioning energy demand of the east-, south- and west-facing space is found to separately decrease by 7.1%, 7.3% and 9.9%, respectively, benefiting from the sloped facades.

An Example of an Application Project on Contemporary Office Design

This study aims to define the concept of office spaces and their requirements, as well as the contemporary interior design approaches. It will also cover the interior design and application process for an architecture office in Konya. The company, originally named Çınar Architecture and active in Konya between 1985 and 1990, has been operating as Kerimler Planning Construction Consultancy Company in Konya since 1995. The company requested an interior architecture project for their new location. In the current environment, the office is starting to become outdated and is unable to offer users enough physical amenities. The main goal of the new office’s interior design was to create areas where employers and employees could collaborate in a welcoming and adaptable setting without facing any kind of discrimination. In Konya Meram Pirebi District, the Menekşe Apartment’s ground floor, which is currently a street-level store, is the site of the project, which occupies a total of 280 m2 and consists of a ground + basement. The office occupies 145 square meters on the ground floor of a recently constructed building, with glass extending to the open floor on the south, north, and west facades. The room has a very large opening because the columns are concealed by the walls, making the two stories easily visible from the entrance. The office, which occupies a 135 m2 basement floor, is connected to the elevator and staircase at the back. Natural light enters the basement through the gallery area that is attached to the staircase. Within the parameters of the study, two- and three-dimensional architectural design tools, including phases of the interior design process, were employed in conjunction with a qualitative research method based on inspection and observation. The architectural office put it into practice about half a year after the design stage. The outcome was the creation of a dynamic, modern office analysis that values teamwork and permits the emergence of unique and creative ideas throughout the project.

UNVEILING THE ‘TRUE LIGHT’: BRICK CRYPTOGRAMS AT ST. GEORGE CHURCH IN STARO NAGORIČINO

This article delves into the intriguing ΦΧΦΠ cryptograms on the west facade of the St. George Church in Staro Nagoričino, shedding light on their connection to the era of King Milutin and their profound theological significance. It explores the convergence of architecture and symbolism, focusing on these cryptograms as a representation of the “True Light” within Christianity and its correlation to the concept of victory. The study delves into the influence of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. It investigates how placing these cryptograms above the church’s doorway resonates with architectural and spiritual narratives. It examines the architectural features of the church’s west façade, reflecting King Milutin’s depiction on the north wall and his role as the “New Constantine.” The cryptogram ΦΧΦΠ ( “The light of Christ shines upon all”) is strategically placed above the bifora in the central axis of the facade, marking the four sides of the Cross. The motif depicting the true light coming into the world is painted on both sides of the interior of the west entrance, creating a liminal space. This motif references the ancient Biblical verse from the Gospel of John 1:9: “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world”. Apart from the biblical reference, the patronage inscriptions and the prayerful mention of King Stefan Uroš II Milutin Nemanjić and Queen Simonis are also highlighted. Their names are inscribed on the lintel of the portal. This study uncovers the intricate symbolism and architectural nuances of the St. George Church in Staro Nagoričino, shedding light on the interplay of liturgical and historical context in this remarkable Byzantine architectural gem.

Investigation of energy performance of nanotechnological material and double-skin facade system in office buildings in Turkiye

ABSTRACT Due to the increasing energy demand around the world, new concepts have emerged in order to reduce it in the building sector. In this context, double-skin facade systems have increasingly been used due to their effectiveness in reducing the heating load, cooling load, and primary energy demand of buildings. In this study, an office building located in the industrial zone in Kocaeli/Gebze was examined, and the effects of nano-technological materials to be added to the building and double-skin facade systems on the energy performance of the building were determined using DesignBuilder and EnergyPlus simulation programs. As a result; with the thermochromic glass and vacuum insulation panels used in the nano scenario, the heating load was reduced by 70% when compared with the base model. In the double skin scenario implemented on the east–west facade, heating load was decreased by almost 25% and cooling and primary energy demand were decreased by nearly 20% as compared to the base model. Whereas, an efficiency of 20% in heating load, 40% in cooling load and almost 30% in primary energy demand was observed in the nano double skin scenario when compared with the base model.

Analisis Prestasi Terma Penghadang Suria Luaran Sedia Ada di Kampung Admiralty, Singapura

External Solar shadings have long been designed as an integral part of a building’s facade for functional, aesthetic and privacy reasons. From a functional aspect, it is used to reduce heat and glare, thus helping to improve the thermal as well as lighting quality of the building. In a tropical climate, the yearlong sun radiation, especially those facing the eastern and western building facades with large glazed surfaces may show severe thermal and glare discomfort issues. This paper analyses the impact of the existing shading system of the vertical and horizontal fins and green facades of The Admiralty Village building in Singapore. A thermal imaging camera was used to detect thermal readings from all of the facade’s shading systems. From the result comparison, each facade of the building requires a different shading treatment due to the different sunlight angles. The south facade is best shaded with horizontal shading. East and west facades require shading that blocks sunlight entering at low angles. The north facade can be left unshaded. Green walls with highly dense vegetation perform more effectively than thermal insulation in reducing the cooling load of the building. This study further convinced the need for solar shading devices, especially in the southern facades of tropical countries.

Thermal Calculation for the Implementation of Green Walls as Thermal Insulators on the East and West Facades in the Adjacent Areas of the School of Biological Sciences, Ricardo Palma University (URP) at Lima, Peru 2023

This research aims to implement green walls as thermal insulators on the east and west facades of the adjacent areas of the School of Biological Sciences at Ricardo Palma University. The growth of urban cities causes an increase in CO2 emissions and the loss of agricultural land. The methodology applied involves evaluating the thermal behavior, analyzing the local climate, and assessing plant species for implementation. As a result, the successful implementation of green walls on the east and west facades was achieved, which has proven to effectively reduce wall heating, decrease the temperature rise in nearby spaces, and minimize reliance on artificial ventilation systems. This has led to energy and cost savings, decreased CO2 emissions, and increased oxygen production. By implementing green walls on the east facade, there has been an increase of 60.73% in comfort hours, while on the west facade, there has been an increase of 64.28% in comfort hours. In addition, a total of 977.50 kg of CO2 has been absorbed, resulting in 722.50 kg of purified air. In conclusion, green walls have proven to be a viable solution to the problems faced in urban cities, helping to mitigate the internal temperature of indoor spaces.

On predicting annual output energy of 4-terminal perovskite/silicon tandem PV cells for building integrated photovoltaic application using machine learning

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV), based on tandem PV cells, is considered a new alternative for combining solar energy with buildings. Accurately predicting the BIPV-harvested annual output energy (Eout,annual) is crucial for evaluating the BIPV performance. Machine learning (ML) is a potential candidate for solving such a problem without the time-consuming process of experimental investigations. This contribution proposes an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the Eout,annual of 4-terminal perovskite/silicon (psk/Si) PV cells under realistic environmental conditions. The input variables of the proposed model consist of the input solar irradiance (Pin), incident light's angle (Ain), the PV module's temperature (Tmod), the psk absorber's thickness (Thpsk), and the psk absorber's bandgap (Bpsk). The input data were received from the simulated results. This work also evaluates the degree of importance of each input variable and optimizes the architecture of the ANN using the surrogate algorithm before predictions. The optimized ANN-3 (three hidden layers) model shows superior performance indicators, including a mean squared error of MSE = 0.02283, correlation coefficient R = 0.99999, and Willmott's index of agreement Iw = 0.99999. Consequently, the predicted highest Eout,annual at Bpsk of 1.71 eV is 297.73, 115.01, 193.98, and 97.6 kWh/m2 for the rooftop, east, south, and west facades, respectively.

Comparative analysis of the thermal insulation performance of a façade enclosure integrated by vegetation under simultaneous windy and rainy climatic conditions

The literature offers some studies on the capacity of the greenery apparatus to decrease wind speed and regulate temperatures with the combination of the moisture retained by the plants and the air passing through them, but there is little on the maintenance of performance under particular weather conditions. The aim of this contribution is to verify the effectiveness of a vegetal façade in particularly windy conditions combined with rainy and/or high-irradiation events. The subject of the study is the enclosure of the Technology Innovation Centre for Development (itdUPM), on the Polytechnic University of Madrid, where a green wall prototype has been installed. For the purposes of the analysis, the environmental variables are examined and the monitoring data received from sensors positioned at the walls and skin of the insulated envelope are compared with the green face and without, comparing the differences in surface temperatures. These analyses are further examined by considering the correlation with different weather conditions. Experimentation shows a maintenance of performance, retaining an insulating capacity in all seasons, in both wind and rain, with results more evident in daylight hours. This contribute want to analyse the subtle variance between the performance of south and west facades. The strongest effect came forward during the summer season because the wall is affected by continuous irradiation on the south that is, also increased by hot weather.

21 Moorfields: designing against disproportionate collapse using a performance-based framework

21 Moorfields is an over-station commercial office development, located above Moorgate underground station in the heart of the City of London. The multistorey office building spans 55m between supports using an innovative combination of arches coupled with launching trusses and mega-trusses along the east and west facades. Due to the nature and location of the development, the project brief imposed tight robustness requirements, including designing for dynamic forces derived both from multiple permutations of member-removal and event-specific scenarios. This article discusses a performance-based approach to robustness assessment which was implemented on the project, in which the intent of the relevant building regulations was explicitly checked through realistic physics-based simulations.

The Virgin Mary and Sainte-Foy: Chant and the Original Design of the West Façade at Conques

Using the evidence of Aquitanian chants, this article explores the possibility that a twelfth-century relief panel of the Annunciation today in the interior of Conques was originally designed for the West facade, where it completes the composition of the divine plan of Salvation. This hypothetic reconstruction also uncovers the important role of the patron saint, Sainte-Foy, and how she is promoted as second after Mary and efficacious intercessor.

Potential of residential building integrated photovoltaic systems in different regions of China

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) is a promising solution for providing building energy and realizing net-zero energy buildings. Based on the developed mathematical model, this paper assesses the solar irradiation resources and BIPV potential of residential buildings in different climate zones of China. It is found that roofs are the first choice for BIPV installation, followed by south façades, especially in high-latitude cities, and then east and west facades. North façades could be recommended in some cities with frequent clouds. The photovoltaic (PV) contribution of a combined rooftop and south façade BIPV system to building energy is highlighted, where the PV covers 50 % of the roof and 40 % of the south façade area. The system can meet the net load of a 4, 8, 7, 6, 4, and 4-storey building in Harbin, Urumqi, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou, respectively. In areas with sufficient irradiation and low demand, such as Lhasa and Kunming, the proposed system is most likely to achieve net-zero energy consumption in high-rise residential buildings. Different from previous study, this study proposes a comprehensive research framework for assessing the potential of residential BIPV system in various regions of China, considering partial shading effects. Since many provinces have issued relevant policies to promote distributed PVs, the findings can provide guidance for BIPV deployment in China.

Building-integrated photovoltaics in hot climates: Experimental study of CIGS and c-Si modules in BIPV ventilated facades

Buildings, especially mid- and high-rise ones, offer the opportunity to incorporate Photovoltaics (PV) on their vertical surfaces in addition to their roofs. This is achieved through Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) solutions. Ventilated facades in buildings can facilitate PV integration and improve the envelope's thermal performance. However, research on BIPV ventilated façades is lacking in the Gulf and MENA regions. Considering the area's harsh climate, investigating these facades is critical. Therefore, the authors of this paper conducted comparative experimental research on the energy performance of BIPV ventilated facades in the hot climate of Dubai. For a year, they monitored the energy yield and temperatures of Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) and monocrystalline silicon (c-Si) modules on the south, east, and west facades. In addition, the study analyzed the effect of the modules' characteristics, orientation, temperature, and solar angle on the energy yield. Despite the hot temperatures, the monthly area-normalized energy yields of the c-Si modules were consistently higher than the CIGS modules across all orientations, with an average difference of 13.6%. The modules in the south facade produced the highest annual yield. Also, from October to February (the coolest period), the energy yield of the south modules surpassed the east and west modules by 41.6% and 48.5%, respectively. However, from April to August (the highest energy demand period), the east and west energy yield exceeded the south by 40.9% and 32.5%, respectively. In addition, the west-facing modules experienced higher temperatures than those in the east, resulting in an average of 12% lower energy yields. Hence, the east façade has performed the second best. The west façade production, nevertheless, closely coincides with Dubai's peak periods curve. Thus, the combination of modules on the west and south facades achieved the strongest generation-consumption correlation.

Artificial neural network for predicting annual output energy of building-integrated photovoltaics based on the 2-terminal perovskite/silicon tandem cells under realistic conditions

A high-efficiency perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell has been a promising candidate for building-integrated photovoltaics. This work presents a deep learning approach to predicting the annual output energy harvested by the 2-terminal perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, thereby optimizing the tandem structure design. The data set for training and validating an artificial neural network (ANN) is the Atlas-simulated results of the tandem cell with the various perovskite layer’s bandgap and thickness under the real-world conditions composed of the solar spectrum, incident spectral angle, and solar module temperature in a particular month of a year for a specific direction. Consequently, we reveal the significant influence of solar spectral shape on the ANN performance. The proposed ANN model has a mean square error of 1.26 and a correlation coefficient of 0.99979. Based on the spectral and environmental database in Gifu (Japan) in 2015, we predict that the optimal perovskite layer’s bandgap and thickness are 1.72 eV and 680 nm for the east, south, and west facades, 1.73 eV and 700 nm for the rooftop, respectively. Consequently, the highest annual output energy obtained is 282.54, 105.07, 174.71, and 90.79 kWh/m2 for the rooftop, the east, south, and west facades, respectively.

Annual output energy harvested by building-integrated photovoltaics based on the optimized structure of 2-terminal perovskite/silicon tandem cells under realistic conditions

Under standard test conditions (STC), we attain the optimal simulated efficiency of 30.60% for a 2-terminal perovskite/SHJ tandem solar cell (perovskite’s bandgap of 1.67 eV, thickness of 640 nm). Primarily, we found that the optimal perovskite thickness of the tandem solar cell applied to building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) under realistic conditions (incident angle of light, solar module temperature, and irradiance intensity and shape) differs from the STC-based optimal perovskite thickness, depending on the incident angle and spectral irradiance shape. The actual optimal configuration of the 2-terminal tandem solar cell is attained at a perovskite thickness thinner than that of the STC-based optimal configuration. This is because the irradiance intensities in the visible and near-infrared light ranges of the 1000-W/m2-normalized actual spectral irradiance are higher and lower than those in corresponding ranges of the AM 1.5 G spectral irradiance, respectively. Consequently, the 2-terminal tandem solar cell based on a perovskite thickness of 500 nm is assumed to be optimal for the BIPV system. The tandem solar cells mounted on the rooftop, the south, east, and west facades achieve the highest annual energy of 270.11, 165.74, 98.50, and 87.64 kWh/m2, the corresponding annual average efficiency of 21.68, 13.31, 7.91, and 7.04%, respectively.

A comprehensive study of the potential and applicability of photovoltaic systems for zero carbon buildings in Hainan Province, China

Energy balance in the building industry and the potential of building PV systems are indispensable to achieve carbon peaks and carbon neutrality in Hainan Province. This research investigated load matching for different types of buildings and the electricity generation potential of building PV systems in Hainan Province. The tilt angle, orientation, PV conversion efficiency and available area of the building were adopted as research parameters to analyze the chance of realizing zero carbon in the building industry. The potential of roof PV systems and economic analysis in Hainan Province were studied. The results show that when a high-performance PV system (20%) is utilized, the electricity demand of buildings can be covered, and 86.9% of the total electricity demand of Hainan Province can be provided by roof PV systems. If all available roof area was used appropriately, carbon emission reduction is up to 13.49 million tons CO2 every year. The cumulative carbon emission reduction could be 408.7 million tons CO2 by using roof PV systems during 2020–2060. The initial cost and pay back period were 117.4 billion CNY and 6.3 years, respectively. All residential buildings, office buildings and small hotels are able to achieve an energy balance when the PV conversion efficiency is 20%. Electricity generation reaches the maximal value when the tilt angle is 15°. When the tilt angle is in the range of 0° to 30°, energy generation is larger than 270 kWh/m2a, and the difference is less than 5%. Electricity production on the east and west facades is greater than that on the south façade. This research provides some references for using building PV systems in Hainan Province.

Evaluation of annual performance for building‐integrated photovoltaics based on 2‐terminal perovskite/silicon tandem cells under realistic conditions

AbstractThe authors optimized the thickness of the layers in the 1.67‐eV‐bandgap‐perovskite sub‐cell of a 2‐terminal perovskite/silicon monolithic tandem solar cell under standard test conditions to get the current matching between the top and the bottom sub‐cells. Based on that optimized structure of the tandem cell, we characterized, calculated, and analyzed the annual output energy and the annual efficiency of the tandem cells on the facades and the rooftop of buildings under realistic conditions composed of module temperature, realistic illumination irradiance, and incident angle directly measured in Gifu, Japan in 2015. Consequently, the obtained annual output energy is 279.52, 238.89, 129.99, and 115.21 kWh/m2 with the corresponding annual efficiency of 22.42%, 19.70%, 10.50%, and 9.19% for the tandem solar cells mounted on the rooftop, the south, east, and west facades of the buildings, respectively. Thus, the rooftop and the south face of the buildings are the preferred directions for the BIPV application to gain higher energy.