Building envelopes can play a significant role in controlling energy consumption, especially in hot regions because of the wide variety of envelope materials and technologies that have been developed. Currently, because of the high rise in energy prices, especially with the high demand of fossil energy in the building sector worldwide, using curtain walls for maintaining adequate lighting in public buildings could lead to higher energy consumption because of the continuous exposure to the sun in hot regions. For this reason, studying the use of renewable or smart alternatives in the building sector to ensure a cleaner, greener environment by deploying sustainable technology in order to reduce energy demand and support economic long-term solutions would be important for solving such a problem. This paper aims at studying the use of renewable energy technologies and alternatives; represented in new building integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) technology that could be integrated within building skin to reduce energy demand. The methodology follows a quantitative comparative approach, using an energy simulation software to study two different types of BIPV technology (BISOL Premium BXO 365 Wp monocrystalline and BXU 330 Wp, polycrystalline) on an existing building by retrofitting a part of its curtain wall. This is to conclude the energy saving percentage and feasibility of both alternatives.Energies 2019, 12, 3946 2 of 15 in the building retrofit process and how it impacts the energy performance in existing buildings through the energy retrofit process. The study is conducted through computer simulation, using DesignBuilder software to compare the performance of two different types of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) technology (BISOL Premium BXO 365 Wp monocrystalline and BXU 330 Wp, polycrystalline) on an existing building by partial retrofit of its curtain wall. This is to conclude the amount of energy saved and feasibility of both alternatives.
Literature ReviewRetrofitting refers to a modification process of completed and constructed buildings, this could be inclusive to the building systems or extend even more to include structure. The process is performed at a point following its initial construction and occupation as an aim for enhancing the building performance. Many aspects should be taken into consideration when retrofitting an existing building, which include: indoor air quality (IAQ), retrofit cost, construction burden, and retrofit aesthetics to the current occupants [4]. In many cases, retrofit targets the building energy performance enhancement which is often provided by an optimization process that is completely dependent on proper retrofitting strategies. The building envelope thermal characteristics are studied to enhance the building energy performance [5]. To retrofit a building envelope, interferences generally include fenestrations (windows, doors), roof, and walls. The vertical envelope, such as building facades, represents a huge area that can be utilized and integrated with photovoltai...