A holistic optimization framework for integrating PV systems into building façades

• Author / Creator

  Bakmohammadi, Parnian

• In recent years, the growing concern over fossil fuel supply insecurity and its negative environmental impacts has led researchers to focus on advancing renewable energy technologies. Buildings, which account for a significant portion of global energy consumption, offer great potential for incorporating renewable energy applications. Solar energy, particularly through the installation of PV panels on building façades, is regarded as a promising resource. However, the full potential of PV systems in buildings has not always been maximized, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to develop practical and optimized designs for PV integration.
  This study presents a comprehensive framework that considers energy efficiency, economic viability, and environmental factors when integrating PV panels into building façades. The process begins with importing 3D models of buildings from Google Maps into Rhinoceros 3D software. After simplifying the building geometry, a deep learning model is used to identify areas suitable for PV installation, primarily the walls. PV generation and energy demand simulation models are then defined, and an evolutionary multi-objective optimization engine is utilized to determine the best PV system design parameters, including tilt, azimuth, and rotation angles, as well as the vertical and horizontal distances of the panels. This holistic approach allows engineers to thoroughly assess multiple sustainability aspects related to various PV system layouts and make informed decisions based on their preferences.
  The framework is applied to two buildings situated in a cold climate on the North Campus of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, serving as case study examples. The results demonstrate that adjusting the priorities of objectives can lead to different optimized solutions, emphasizing the importance of considering various factors when designing PV systems for building façades.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Photovoltaic system
  • PV
  • sustainability
  • optimization
  • façade
  • BAPV

• Graduation date

  Fall 2023

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-hazc-wp03

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.