Assessing the combined effect of PV panels’ shading and cool materials on building energy loads in different climates

Roza Vakilinezhad and Navid Ziaee ()
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Roza Vakilinezhad: Shiraz University
Navid Ziaee: Art University of Isfahan

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2024, vol. 26, issue 6, No 101, 16221 pages

Abstract: Abstract PV panels are vastly used for sustainable electricity generation, while they can also help the environment by improving buildings’ energy consumption. The best placement for PV panels installation in buildings with flat roofs is the roof. When placed on a building's roof, PV panels affect the building's energy loads by shading the roof surface. However, the shading effect of PV panels could be different depending on the roof's thermal properties and surface materials. The combined effect of shading caused by PV panels and cool materials could significantly change the roof surface temperature, and the building energy demand. In light of the lack of studies considering this combined effect, the present study aims to evaluate the energy-saving effects of different roof materials covered with solar PV panels for a typical residential building in four cities with different climate conditions in Iran. Applying a simulation tool, Ladybug Tools have been utilized for determining the building energy loads and PV panels' power generation. The obtained results indicate that PV panels significantly affect the cooling load of the building, especially during peak times. The hottest city, Bandar-Abbas, benefits the most, with a maximum saved energy ratio (SER) of 3.4%, while the coldest city, Ardabil, has the least SER, 0.5%. Additionally, in cold and moderate climates, the highest SER occurs for the lowest R-value and solar absorption roof, while for hot climates, the highest SER occurs for the roofs with the highest R-value and the lowest solar absorption. Overall, the shading effect of PV panels becomes more significant when solar absorption is high, and the roof R-value is low. Despite the decrease in cooling energy load, PV panels might increase the heating load. Depending on the climate, this contradictory effect of the roof's thermal properties and PV panels shading should be considered in the design process of buildings.

Keywords: Solar absorption; PV panels; Shading; Cool materials; Energy loads (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03293-y

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