Daylighting and Energy Performance of PVSDs;

Abstract

Nowadays, many countries are putting in efforts to reduce the energy consumption of buildings by adopting initiatives aimed at the development of net-zero energy buildings. These initiatives endorsed the growing interest in using building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) as a means of achieving their aims. The adoption of PV in new or existing buildings does not only help reduce energy demand of the buildings but also increase the energy supply from renewable sources. In addition, in hot arid climates, where solar irradiation reaches its highest levels, solar protection through shading devices is required and effective for buildings’ proper functionality. Consequently, integrating PVs as shading devices could result in the double benefit of electricity production coupled with solar protection. In this paper, the integration of PV as a shading element was quantitatively studied. The study was conducted on an educational space that is highly glazed, which results in excessive overheating and visual discomfort. Therefore, the approach of improving the energy efficiency of the space by applying a PVSD on the south and east façades was adopted at 4 different tilt angles (-15°, -20°, -25° and -30°) for each orientation. The study aims to achieve the optimal balance between daylight availability, energy consumption and generated energy of the PV surfaces. The study was conducted using Rhinoceros, Grasshopper 3D, DIVA for Rhino and ArchSIM software for modelling purposes and simulation processes to reach conclusions about the optimum tilt angle and orientation of PVSD for the case of Cairo. KeywordsRenewable Energy, Building Integrated Photovoltaics, Photovoltaic Shading Devices, Daylighting