Enhancing South-Facing Office Environments at 51° Latitude: Optimizing Shading, PV Performance, and Acoustics with Sloped Horizontal Fins

Marcin Brzezicki, Joanna Jablonska, Pawel Regucki () and Dominik Błoński
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Marcin Brzezicki: Faculty of Architecture, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Prusa 53-55, 50-317 Wroclaw, Poland
Joanna Jablonska: Faculty of Architecture, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Prusa 53-55, 50-317 Wroclaw, Poland
Pawel Regucki: Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
Dominik Błoński: Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-29

Abstract: This study investigates the effectiveness of sloped horizontal shading fins in enhancing visual comfort, electricity generation, and acoustic attenuation in a south-facing office room in Wrocław, Poland (51° latitude). A simulation-based approach combined Radiance daylight simulations, PV energy modeling, and graphical acoustic analysis. Four fin configurations were tested to identify the optimal design. The results indicate that Variant 3, featuring two 1 m wide fins inclined at 45°, achieved the best overall performance, increasing UDI 300–3000/168 from 53.1% to 95.8%, reducing DGP from 50% to 27%, and enabling an estimated annual electricity production of 4.67 MWh. Additionally, applying sound-absorbing material on the shaded side of the fins significantly reduced reflective acoustic wave bounces, significantly reducing façade-exposed noise. This multifunctional solution demonstrates a practical and scalable strategy for improving office environmental quality in temperate climates, contributing to energy efficiency, acoustic comfort, and visual well being.

Keywords: sloped horizontal fins; shading; visual comfort; acoustic analysis; PV installation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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