Solar and Shading Potential of Different Configurations of Building Integrated Photovoltaics Used as Shading Devices Considering Hot Climatic Conditions
This study investigates the use of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) as shading devices in hot climates, with reference to the conditions of Saudi Arabia. It used parametric numerical modelling to critically appraise the potential of eight design configurations in this regard, including vert...
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/12/4373 |
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doaj-1638d7c234c64ccaa21547f109ed5e7b2020-11-25T00:40:27ZengMDPI AGSustainability2071-10502018-11-011012437310.3390/su10124373su10124373Solar and Shading Potential of Different Configurations of Building Integrated Photovoltaics Used as Shading Devices Considering Hot Climatic ConditionsOmar S. Asfour0Department of Architecture, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, P.O. Box 2483, Dhahran 31261, Saudi ArabiaThis study investigates the use of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) as shading devices in hot climates, with reference to the conditions of Saudi Arabia. It used parametric numerical modelling to critically appraise the potential of eight design configurations in this regard, including vertical and horizontal shading devices with different inclination angles. The study assumed that the examined shading devices could be entirely horizontal or vertical on the three exposed facades, which is common practice in architecture. The study found that the examined configurations offered different solar and shading potentials. However, the case of horizontal BIPV shading devices with a 45° tilt angle received the highest amount of annual total insolation (104 kWh/m<sup>2</sup>) and offered effective window shading of 96% of the total window area on average in summer. The study concluded that, unlike the common recommendation of avoiding horizontal shading devices on eastern and western facades, it is possible in countries characterised with high solar altitudes such as Saudi Arabia to use them effectively to generate electricity and provide the required window shading.https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/12/4373building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs)solar energyshading devicesarchitectureSaudi Arabia |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Omar S. Asfour |
spellingShingle |
Omar S. Asfour Solar and Shading Potential of Different Configurations of Building Integrated Photovoltaics Used as Shading Devices Considering Hot Climatic Conditions Sustainability building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) solar energy shading devices architecture Saudi Arabia |
author_facet |
Omar S. Asfour |
author_sort |
Omar S. Asfour |
title |
Solar and Shading Potential of Different Configurations of Building Integrated Photovoltaics Used as Shading Devices Considering Hot Climatic Conditions |
title_short |
Solar and Shading Potential of Different Configurations of Building Integrated Photovoltaics Used as Shading Devices Considering Hot Climatic Conditions |
title_full |
Solar and Shading Potential of Different Configurations of Building Integrated Photovoltaics Used as Shading Devices Considering Hot Climatic Conditions |
title_fullStr |
Solar and Shading Potential of Different Configurations of Building Integrated Photovoltaics Used as Shading Devices Considering Hot Climatic Conditions |
title_full_unstemmed |
Solar and Shading Potential of Different Configurations of Building Integrated Photovoltaics Used as Shading Devices Considering Hot Climatic Conditions |
title_sort |
solar and shading potential of different configurations of building integrated photovoltaics used as shading devices considering hot climatic conditions |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Sustainability |
issn |
2071-1050 |
publishDate |
2018-11-01 |
description |
This study investigates the use of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) as shading devices in hot climates, with reference to the conditions of Saudi Arabia. It used parametric numerical modelling to critically appraise the potential of eight design configurations in this regard, including vertical and horizontal shading devices with different inclination angles. The study assumed that the examined shading devices could be entirely horizontal or vertical on the three exposed facades, which is common practice in architecture. The study found that the examined configurations offered different solar and shading potentials. However, the case of horizontal BIPV shading devices with a 45° tilt angle received the highest amount of annual total insolation (104 kWh/m<sup>2</sup>) and offered effective window shading of 96% of the total window area on average in summer. The study concluded that, unlike the common recommendation of avoiding horizontal shading devices on eastern and western facades, it is possible in countries characterised with high solar altitudes such as Saudi Arabia to use them effectively to generate electricity and provide the required window shading. |
topic |
building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) solar energy shading devices architecture Saudi Arabia |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/12/4373 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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