Status : Verified
| Personal Name | Marquez, Athena L. |
|---|---|
| Resource Title | Potential Assessment of Vertical Solar PV Systems for Power Production and Thermal Performance in Tropical Building Envelopes |
| Date Issued | 13 January 2026 |
| Abstract | In warm and humid tropical regions, balancing thermal comfort and energy efficiency is a challenge due to high cooling demands. Strategies to reduce energy use and integrate renewable energy into buildings have focused on achieving self-sufficiency. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 and 13 call for access to clean energy and climate change mitigation. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology offers a solution for energy-intensive urban areas. This study assessed the potential of facade PV systems to offset cooling energy demand in tropical buildings through simulations with LiDAR-derived 3D models, solar ray tracing, and thermal load modeling. Buildings in Quezon City, Philippines were modeled to estimate solar irradiation, PV energy output, and cooling load reductions. Results showed that the case-study buildings received high solar irradiance, peaking at approximately 1,037 W/m² under clear-sky conditions. East-west facades achieved the highest annual yields of up to 86 kWh/m2. Although irradiation on these surfaces was about 15% lower than on rooftops, their large areas significantly increased buildings' overall solar potential, with some configurations offsetting a portion of cooling electricity demand. Shading from vertical reduced cooling loads by up to 7.3%, greatest on east and west walls. Techno-economic analysis showed several setups to be viable, with LCOE of 6.2–6.6 PHP/kWh, payback periods of 5.5–10.2 years, and positive NPV, supporting vertical solar PV as a complementary solution in dense tropical environments. |
| Degree Course | MS Energy Engineering |
| Language | English |
| Keyword | GIS; passive shading effect; tropical building envelope; vertical solar PV |
| Material Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
Preliminary Pages
12.01 Mb
Category : I - Has patentable or registrable invention of creation.
Access Permission : Limited Access