Investigation of the Geometric Shape Effect on the Solar Energy Potential of Gymnasium Buildings

Lei Jiang, Weiqing Liu, Haiping Liao and Jiabao Li
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Lei Jiang: School of Architecture, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
Weiqing Liu: College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
Haiping Liao: Department of Research Center, Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design, Nanjing 210036, China
Jiabao Li: College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-21

Abstract: Gymnasium are typically large-span buildings with abundant solar energy resources due to their extensive roof surface. However, relevant research on this topic has not been thoroughly conducted to investigate the effect of the geometric shape of gymnasium buildings on their solar potential. In this paper, an investigation of the geometric shape effect on the solar potential of gymnasium buildings is presented. A three-dimensional radiation transfer model coupled with historical meteorological data was established to estimate the real-time solar potential of the roof of a gymnasium building. The rooftop solar potential of three typical building foundation shapes and different types of roof shapes that have evolved was systematically analyzed. An annual solar potential cloud map of each gymnasium building is generated. The monthly and annual average solar radiation intensities of the different types of roof shapes are investigated. Compared to the optimal tilt angle, the maximum decrease in the average radiation intensity reached −20.42%, while the minimum decline was −8.64% for all types of building shapes. The solar energy potential fluctuated by up to 11% across the various roof shapes, which indicate that shape selection is of vital importance for integrated photovoltaic gymnasium buildings. The results presented in this work are essential for clarifying the effects of the geometric shape of gymnasium buildings on the solar potential of their roofs, which provide an important reference for building design.

Keywords: gymnasium buildings; building roofs; building simulation; solar radiation assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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