Multi-Objective Optimization of Bifacial Photovoltaic Sunshade: Towards Better Optical, Electrical and Economical Performance

Chunying Li, Wankun Zhang, Fang Liu, Xiaoyu Li, Jingwei Wang and Cuimin Li ()
Additional contact information
Chunying Li: School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Wankun Zhang: School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Fang Liu: School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Xiaoyu Li: School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Jingwei Wang: School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Cuimin Li: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-18

Abstract: Bifacial photovoltaic sunshade (BiPVS) is an innovative building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology. Vertically mounted BiPVS is capable of converting part of the incident solar radiation into electricity, regulating the indoor heat gain from solar penetration and improving daylighting. An excellent BiPVS design should comprehensively consider its impact on building performance and economic viability. This study aims to address this issue by proposing a parametric design-based multi-objective optimization (MOO) framework to maximize indoor useful daylight illuminance, minimize air-conditioning energy consumption, and shorten the payback period by optimizing BiPVS design parameters. The framework utilizes the Ladybug, Honeybee, and Wallacei plugins on the Rhino-Grasshopper simulation platform. It validates the optimization potential of BiPVS in a typical office located in a hot summer and warm winter zone. The results indicate that BiPVS has significant energy-saving and daylighting potential. Compared to the baseline model without BiPVS, useful daylight illuminance is increased by 39.44%, air-conditioning energy consumption is reduced by 12.61%, and the economically satisfactory payback period is 4.80 years. This study provides a practical solution for the competing objectives of daylighting and energy saving in buildings with significant renewable energy utilization. The developed framework is highly efficient and versatile and can be applied to other BIPV designs, which benefits the realization of carbon-neutral goals in the building sector.

Keywords: BiPVS; building energy performance; multi-objective optimization; useful daylight illuminance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/14/5977/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/14/5977/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:14:p:5977-:d:1434206

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().