A Comparative Study of Photovoltaic Shading Devices for Net Zero Energy Buildings across French Climates

By 2050, the European Union aims to achieve carbon neutrality and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings account for a significant portion of the EU’s energy consumption, making the integration of renewable technologies, such as photovoltaic (PV) modules in windows, roofs, façades, and above glazing, essential. Photovoltaic shading systems (PVSDs), which combine PV modules with awnings or louvres, generate electricity while reducing solar heat gain and lowering cooling energy demand. This study evaluates the impact of various PVSDs on the cooling, heating, and lighting demands of office buildings in four French cities with distinct climates: Brest, Clermont-Ferrand, Nice, and Strasbourg. Energy generation was calculated using PVSYST. The PVSD types modeled include horizontal canopies with single, double, and triple rows of PV modules, inclined canopies with single and double rows at a 30° tilt, and vertical panel canopies. Results show that the Nice inclined single canopy reduces annual energy use by up to 35.31% compared to the base model. In Clermont, the horizontal single-row canopy lowers energy use by 20.49%. In Strasbourg, the same canopy reduces consumption by 14.83%, while in Brest, it achieves a 13.31% reduction. These findings suggest that PVSDs are most effective in reducing cooling energy in Mediterranean climates. In colder regions like Strasbourg, designs should also optimize winter solar heat gain. This study establishes a quantitative framework for the design and evaluation of PVSDs in office buildings.