Solar Energy Gain and Space-Heating Energy Supply Analyses for Solid-Wall Dwelling Retrofitted with the Experimentally Achievable U-value of Novel Triple Vacuum Glazing

Abstract

A considerable effort is devoted to devising retrofit solutions for reducing space-heating energy in the domestic sector. Existing UK solid-wall dwellings, which have both heritage values and historic fabric, are being improved but they tend to have meagre thermal performance, partly, due to the heat-loss through glazings. This paper takes comparative analyses approach to envisage space-heating supply required in order to maintain thermal comfort temperatures and attainable solar energy gains to households with the retrofit of an experimentally achievable thermal performance of the fabricated sample of triple vacuum glazing to a UK solid-wall dwelling. 3D dynamic thermal models (timely regimes of heating, occupancy, ventilation and internal heat gains) of an externally-insulated solidwall detached dwelling with a range of existing glazing types along with triple vacuum glazings are modelled. A dramatic decrease of space-heating load and moderate increase of solar gains are resulted with the dwelling of newly achievable triple vacuum glazings (having centre-of-pane U-value of 0.33 Wm -2 K -1 ) compared to conventional glazing types. The space-heating annual cost of single glazed dwellings was minimised to 15.31% (≈USD 90.7) with the retrofit of triple-vacuum glazings. An influence of total heat-loss through the fabric of solid-wall dwelling was analysed with steady-state calculations which indicates a fall of 10.23% with triple vacuum glazings compared to single glazings.

Manifestations of carbon capture-storage and ambivalence of quantum-dot & organic solar cells: An indispensable abridged review

“…A selective wavelength based single junction transparent photovoltaic film has a theoretical Shockley-Queasier (SQ) limit of 20.6% [63] conversion efficiency at 100% average visible light transmittance and the conversion efficiency can be increased by adding junctions. However, glass sheet alone has about 92% average visible light transmittance [64,65], and a typical double air-filled [66,67,68] or vacuum glazing [69,70] has approximately between 70 % and 80% average visible light transmittance [71] and it would drop to 70% with the application of a low emissivity (low-e) coating to further reduce the radiative heat transmission. However, the low-e coatings can be avoided or replaced with transparent PV film as the initial research suggests it would not make a huge impact on the thermal transmittance values [72,73,74] since vacuum insulation would be an advantage irrespectively.…”

Effect of hot-arid climatic solar energy on monocrystalline photovoltaic performance in Pakistan

“…In which, vacuum insulation [13][14][15] and translucent photovoltaic films integration to vacuum insulation panel [16][17] are a few of progressive technologies that could enhance the buildings insulation properties whilst also benefitting from the overall reduction of energy bills. However, vacuum insulated panel or vacuum glazing are still developmental technologies [18] due to the limitations of the cost of materials [19,20], laser sealing [21,22], temperature induced stresses [23], longevity or stability of vacuum pressure [24,25] and control of solar heat gains [26][27][28] with photovoltaic films are current challenges. The installations of PV panels in the domestic buildings of Pakistan are relatively new and are growing faster due to greater benefits of shunning the energy supply-demand gap [29].…”

Effect of Cavity Vacuum Pressure Diminution on Thermal Performance of Triple Vacuum Glazing

“…The total U value accounts for the effect of frames and edges, and the centre-of-pane U values do not account for the aforementioned effects. Vacuum insulation as a retrofit solution to existing buildings plays a momentous role in the reduction of carbon emissions and bringing our building sector towards a zero-energy building (ZEB) target [2], because buildings are accountable for at least 30% of the overall global final energy consumed [3,4]. Although a number of retrofitting measures to improve building insulation have already made the building sector more energy-efficient [5], it requires advanced technologies to bring the building sector towards a ZEB target.…”