On-Site Zero Energy by Integrating Photovoltaic Technologies into Buildings

The escalating energy demand and carbon emissions, driven by rapid construction and population growth, necessitate energy-efficient building designs and renewable energy integration. To address the dwindling fossil fuel resources, many nations are transitioning to Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB), which balance energy consumption with renewable energy production, both onsite and off-site. There is a lack of studies on on-site solar energy production in hot and cold climate regions. However, these studies are highly required to measure the feasibility of installing solar energy technologies into buildings in different climate regions. Using an integrated GIS tool, this study assesses the feasibility of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) on building roofs in different climates. Two buildings, chosen for location, roof features, and area, were simulated with NREL's pvwatts tool. The research optimized PV systems by adjusting Tilt and Azimuth angles comparing the energy efficiency of the systems through GIS integration. The study found that BIPV systems yield significantly higher energy in hot climates due to intense solar irradiation. While energy production in cold climates was 80% of that in hot climates, it's still substantial, underscoring BIPV's benefits in both climate types.