Positive energy building design. Energy self-sufficiency and solar photovoltaic integration
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20868/ciur.2025.158.5448Keywords:
nearly zero energy buildings, positive energy buildings, energy self-sufficiency, indicators for photovoltaic integration, architectural design optimization, building envelope design, BIPVAbstract
In the face of climate emergency and the need to transform the energy model, architecture must take an active role. The transition to buildings that generate their own energy is key to abandoning fossil fuels. At the urban level, each building must maximize the use of
sustainable resources and balance them with its surroundings.
The study analyzes thirteen NZEB and PEB office buildings in oceanic climates with real-life usage data. Based on these data, a homogeneous basis has been created to evaluate the relationship between architectural, climatic, and energy parameters. Key ratios linking design, photovoltaic energy consumption and generation, and location are identified, culminating in the proposal of indicators applicable in the initial design phase of future self-sufficient buildings.
The main contribution of this work is a design support tool that uses real-life data and is designed to be applied sequentially in the initial design phase of PEB buildings. Its objective is to guide the design process for effective architectural decision-making in the integration of photovoltaic systems, both on the roof and the façade.
The main conclusion is that the focus on maximizing solar energy capture has a clear impact on contemporary architectural language, both in design strategies and in the eco-technologies adopted, driving an evolution both at the scale of building design and at the urban scale.
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