Photovoltaic Integrated Shading Devices in the Retrofitting of Existing Buildings on Chinese Campuses Within a Regional Context

Retrofitting existing buildings to be more energy-efficient is a tremendous contribution to the sustainability of society. The application of photovoltaic integrated shading devices (PVSDs) accords with this ambition by blocking out unwanted radiant heat gain and generating clean electricity. The deployment of PVSDs needs sensible design strategies to optimize the production of renewable energy while retaining the aesthetic quality of the built-up environment, especially in historic campuses. The concept was tested in a case study of buildings in South China University of Technology (SCUT) using Ladybug 1.4.0 and PVsyst 7.2, utilizing the existing “Xia’s shading” design method in historical environments and optimizing the design from the perspective of photovoltaic performance. Firstly, the photovoltaic (PV) panels were integrated as architectural components, and the parameters were incorporated into a mathematical equation based on “Xia’s shading” design method. This was followed by the assessment of the solar energy harvesting potential based on simulated annual solar irradiation values. Lastly, the PV panels’ solar irradiation potential under these different parameters was shown in figures to identify the optimum parameters combination for PVSD applications. The proposed methodology could evolve as a design tool and thus further assist in promoting the large-scale adoption of PVSDs in retrofit projects.