Improved Performance of a PV Integrated Ventilated Façade at an Existing nZEB

Abstract

Ventilated façades are among the existing measures to reduce the energy demand in buildings. The combination of this passive heating and cooling strategy with photovoltaics (PV) can drive new buildings towards the current European targets near or even to net zero energy Buildings (nZEB). The present work studies the thermal behavior of the PV integrated ventilated façade applied in the nZEB known as “LUCIA” (acronym in Spanish for “University Centre to Launch Applied Research”) at the University of Valladolid, Spain. The aim is to evaluate the interest of recirculating indoor air within the façade during winter, as an alternative to the present preferred operating mode during the target season, in which the façade acts as further insulation. First, the radiant properties of the PV façade are measured to use the values in a mathematical model that describes the behavior of the ventilated façade in its current operating mode in winter. Then, the solar radiation available, the air-dry bulb temperatures indoors, outdoors and inside the ventilated façade are monitored to obtain experimental data to validate the model. The results show that air recirculation can entail favorable heat gains during 10% of winter, being this alternative preferable to the present operating mode when outdoor temperatures are over 18.4 °C.

Eco-Efficient Ventilated Facades Based on Circular Economy for Residential Buildings as an Improvement of Energy Conditions

“…However, the priority must be to achieve healthy spaces, improve living conditions and greater thermal comfort, in addition to ventilation, a fundamental aspect to reduce COVID-19 infections. A study shows that air recirculation can lead to favorable heat gains during 10% of the winter, which is why ventilated facades are among the existing measures to reduce energy demand in buildings [31].…”