ENERGY EFFICIENCY PREDICTION BASED ON THE INTEGRATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANELS AS A DOUBLE SKIN FACADE IN EXISTING OFFICE BUILDINGS
Abstract
The objective of this research is to address issues related to the energy efficiency of administrative buildings. The energy renovation of buildings using photovoltaic systems as a second skin offers several advantages, including: The integration of solar PV systems into the building’s exterior envelope appears effective and promising for the future facades of existing administrative buildings, where these systems offer renewable energy production and improving the building’s interior comfort. To adjust the energy efficiency of office buildings, this study provides a step-by-step process for predicting the energy efficiency of integrating these PV systems. The main steps of the approach are: (1) studying the environment and thermal potential of buildings using a "Testo 865" thermal camera and a "Testo 830-T2" infrared thermometer; (2) proposing the double-skin facade (DSF) system; (3) calculating the efficiency of these PV systems by applying a calculation formula for PV system production. The results demonstrated that the maximum efficiency of the PV systems, depending on the cases of the studied buildings, can reach up to 32% of the total annual electrical consumption. The PV system can become a second skin for the existing facade, helping to minimize energy consumption while improving the thermal performance and appearance of existing administrative buildings.
References
Akhlaghinezhad, F., Mohajerani, M., & Sabzevar, H. B. (2024). Optimizing Courtyard Design for Thermal Performance: A Study on Shadow and Sunlight Dynamics in Traditional Houses. International Journal of Urban Management and Energy Sustainability, 5(1), 31-53. https://doi.org/10.22034/IJUMES.2024.2019088.1190
Akrouch, M. A., et al. (2023). Advancements in Cooling Techniques for Enhanced Efficiency of Solar Photovoltaic Panels: A Detailed Comprehensive Review and Innovative Classification. Energy and Built Environment. Available online 4 November 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbenv.2023.11.002
Albatayneh, A., et al. (2022). The Installation of Residential Photovoltaic Systems: Impact of Energy Consumption Behaviour. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 54, 102870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2022.102870
Alktranee, M., & Bencs, P. (2023). Energy and Exergy Analysis for Photovoltaic Modules Cooled by Evaporative Cooling Techniques. Energy Reports, 9, 122-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.11.177
Aslam, A., Ahmed, N., Qureshi, S. A., Assadi, M., & Ahmed, N. (2022). Advances in Solar PV Systems: A Comprehensive Review of PV Performance, Influencing Factors, and Mitigation Techniques. Energies, 15(20), 7595. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15207595
Bakhshoodeh, R., et al. (2022). Thermal Performance of Green Façades: Review and Analysis of Published Data. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 155, 111744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111744
Bakmohammadi, P. (2023). A Holistic Optimization Framework for Integrating PV Systems into Building Façades. Master of Science, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta.
Bechara, N., et al. (2020). Assessing the Effect of Temperature on Degradation Modes of PV Panels. 5th International Conference on Renewable Energies for Developing Countries (REDEC). https://doi.org/10.1109/REDEC49234.2020.9163604
Behi, Z., et al. (2021). Exploring the Untapped Potential of Solar Photovoltaic Energy at a Smart Campus: Shadow and Cloud Analyses. Energy & Environment, 33(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305X211008998
Cao, X., Dai, X., & Liu, J. (2016). Building energy-consumption status worldwide and the state-of-the-art technologies for zero-energy buildings during the past decade. Energy and Buildings, 128, 198-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.06.089
Chen, X., et al. (2019). Approaching Low-Energy High-Rise Building by Integrating Passive Architectural Design with Photovoltaic Application. Journal of Cleaner Production, 220, 313-330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.02.137
Come Zebra, E. I., et al. (2021). A Review of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems in Mini-Grids for Off-Grid Electrification in Developing Countries. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 144, 111036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111036
Dellicompagni, P. R., et al. (2022). A Combined Thermal and Electrical Performance Evaluation of Low Concentration Photovoltaic Systems. Energy, 254, Part A, 124247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.124247
Gajdzik, B., Wolniak, R., Nagaj, R., Žuromskaitė-Nagaj, B., & Grebski, W. W. (2024). The Influence of the Global Energy Crisis on Energy Efficiency: A Comprehensive Analysis. Energies, 17(4), 947. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17040947
Hafez, F. S., et al. (2023). Energy Efficiency in Sustainable Buildings: A Systematic Review with Taxonomy, Challenges, Motivations, Methodological Aspects, Recommendations, and Pathways for Future Research. Energy Strategy Reviews, 45, 101013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2022.101013
Huld, T., et al. (2010). Mapping the Performance of PV Modules, Effects of Module Type and Data Averaging. Solar Energy, 84(2), 324-338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2009.12.002
Kamal Eldin Mohamed, S., & Soofia Tahira Elias Özkan. (2018). Sustainable Architectural Design Education: A Pilot Study in a 3rd Year Studio. The Academic Research Community Publication, 2(3). First Proceedings of Al Azhar’s 14th International Conference On: Engineering, Architecture and Technology. https://doi.org/10.21625/archive.v2i3.354
Khatib, T., et al. (2013). A Review of Photovoltaic Systems Size Optimization Techniques. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 22, 454-465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.02.023
Krstic, M., et al. (2024). Passive Cooling of Photovoltaic Panel by Aluminum Heat Sinks and Numerical Simulation. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 15(1), 102330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2023.102330
Kumar, G., & Raheja, G. (2016). Design Determinants of Building Envelope for Sustainable Built Environment: A Review. International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.11113/ijbes.v3.n2.127
Kurnik, J., et al. (2011). Outdoor Testing of PV Module Temperature and Performance Under Different Mounting and Operational Conditions. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 95(1), 373-376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2010.04.022
Machín, A., & Márquez, F. (2024). Advancements in Photovoltaic Cell Materials: Silicon, Organic, and Perovskite Solar Cells. Materials, 17(5), 1165. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17051165
NADY, R. (2017). Dynamic Facades: Environmental Control Systems for Sustainable Design. Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development, 3(1), 118-127. http://dx.doi.org/10.21622/resd.2017.03.1.118
Nezhnikova, E., Papelniuk, O., & Dudin, M. (2019). Developing Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources to Improve the Efficiency of Housing Construction and Management. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 9(3), 172–178. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.7732
Osobajo, O. A., Otitoju, A., Otitoju, M. A., & Oke, A. (2020). The Impact of Energy Consumption and Economic Growth on Carbon Dioxide Emissions. Sustainability, 12(19), 7965. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12197965
Pandiaraj, S., et al. (2022). A Study of Solar Heat Gain Variation in Building Applied Photovoltaic Buildings and its Impact on Environment and Indoor Air Quality. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 44(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2022.2096725
Parthiban, R., & Ponnambalam, P. (2022). An Enhancement of the Solar Panel Efficiency: A Comprehensive Review. Frontiers in Energy Research, 10:937155. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2022.937155
Pereira, J., Teixeira, H., Gomes, MdG., & Moret Rodrigues, A. (2022). Performance of Solar Control Films on Building Glazing: A Literature Review. Applied Sciences, 12(12), 5923. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12125923
Polcovnicu, R.-A., et al. (2021). Building Integrated Photovoltaics Systems State-of-the-Art Review. Bulletin of the Polytechnic Institute of Iași. Construction. Architecture Section, 67(2). https://doi.org/10.2478/bipca-2021-0016
QTR (Quadrennial Technology Review). (2015). An Assessment of Energy Technologies and Research Opportunities: Chapter 5: Increasing Efficiency of Building Systems and Technologies. Department of Energy, University of America.
Rajput, R., et al. (2023). Hybrid Photovoltaic Systems: Experimental and Computational Performance Analysis. Renewable Energy, 214, 1183-1193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.07.095
Roslan, R. H., et al. (2021). Advanced Cooling Techniques for PV Modules: A Comprehensive Review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 147, 111189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111189
Saidur, R., et al. (2012). Performance and Development of Solar Photovoltaic Technologies: A Review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(8), 5425-5440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2012.07.140
Sanjari, M. J., et al. (2023). A Comparative Study on Passive Cooling Techniques for Photovoltaic Panels. Renewable Energy, 211, 1355-1365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.03.114
Saterlay, A. J., et al. (2022). Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic-Thermal System Design, Testing, and Performance Evaluation. Solar Energy, 237, 118-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2022.07.020
Wong, P. T., & Liao, L. (2022). Double-Skin Façades: Enhancing Building Energy Efficiency Through Improved Daylight Control. Energy and Buildings, 272, 112253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112253
Zegarac Lesendar, M. (2021). Integration of Solar Panels into Urban Areas and Buildings: A Review of Current Approaches and Case Studies. Advances in Building Energy Research, 16(2), 355-371. https://doi.org/10.1080/17512549.2021.1946964
Views:
44
Downloads:
26
Copyright (c) 2025 Marouane Samir Guedouh, Hocine Sami Belmahdi

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles are published in open-access and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Hence, authors retain copyright to the content of the articles.
CC BY 4.0 License allows content to be copied, adapted, displayed, distributed, re-published or otherwise re-used for any purpose including for adaptation and commercial use provided the content is attributed.