Advanced solar envelope design

Abstract

This chapter presents advanced geometrical designs of roofs and facades, for increased thermal and electrical solar energy generation. Roofs are designed to accommodate solar technologies for low-rise buildings, while facade designs are mostly associated with multistorey buildings. A number of designs of roofs and facades are presented, ranging from simple and conventional designs, to more sophisticated designs, based on multifaceted geometries. The impact of these designs on the heating and cooling loads of these buildings is discussed. In addition, the impact of buildings’ layout, on the design of roof and facade surfaces for solar collectors’ integration and on the overall energy performance is analyzed. Applications of some of these designs are presented. To demonstrate various design impacts, the chapter relies on hypothetical examples that are designed, and systematically simulated and analyzed. While simulations are conducted for specific geographic locations, modifications of these designs in view of their applications to other locations are discussed.