Photovoltaic as a Second Skin Roof

In tropical regions, solar energy generated by photovoltaic installations is seen as highly promising due to abundant solar radiation throughout the year. These installations are commonly integrated directly into the structure of residential buildings. However, this placement can lead to challenges within the indoor environment by increasing heat absorption compared to buildings without photovoltaic installations. Therefore, this research aims to enhance the design of residential building roofs by considering both energy generation and thermal regulation. The study utilized simulation techniques, employing Revit solar analysis for energy performance assessment and Autodesk CFD for thermal analysis. The simulations included fifteen BIM models representing various geometries, tilt angles, and roof areas. The performance of the photovoltaic installation as a secondary roof layer was evaluated at different height gaps: 0cm, 10cm, 30cm, 50cm, and 100cm. These models were compared to a base model representing a building without a photovoltaic roof. The findings suggest that optimizing the second skin photovoltaic roof can enhance both energy generation and thermal regulation. The recommended height gap between the primary roof and the photovoltaic roof is 100 cm, with the photovoltaic panels positioned parallel to the main roof. The photovoltaic roof acts as a thermal barrier and promotes air circulation within the gap space, aiding in the dissipation of heat absorbed by the roof. This approach enhances the efficiency of the photovoltaic system.