This study investigates Photovoltaic Shading Devices (PVSD) as a very specialised yet highly flexible and capable area of research to establish a methodology for systematic approach to highly-and fully glazed façade with an aim to strike a balance between heat/solar gain, natural daylighting and producing electricity to reduce energy/carbon footprint of office buildings in hot and arid climates. In doing so, this study develops an approach informed by systems theory to classify different parameters with a potential impact on the topic of the study. The most representative typology of the office buildings in the country will be composed. Simulation will be used to devise the model and simulate the energy consumption while measuring indoor solar gain and visual comfort to optimise the use of PVSD in the design of fully/highly-glazed façades of office buildings. Sensitivity analysis will then be carried out to measure the impact of change in energy consumption/production, heat/solar gain and visual comfort of office building when parameters and elements are adjusted.
It is expected that the unique methodology developed exclusively for this research can provide a frame of reference as a customisable/flexible platform with modular elements which can be adapted/adjusted to the context specifics of the study.
Funder: The Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.