Innovative photovoltaic heating for ethnic traditional dwellings towards near-zero energy heating on Tibetan plateau

The western Sichuan Plateau is characterized by high altitude, low ambient temperatures, and strong solar radiation. Coupled with the limitations of conventional heating methods, traditional dwellings in this region suffer from high energy consumption and inadequate thermal comfort during the winter heating season. This study investigates a representative traditional dwelling in Maerkang, located on the western Sichuan Plateau, and proposes a near-zero energy consumption retrofit strategy based on photovoltaic (PV) heating. By developing both three-dimensional and theoretical models and integrating building energy simulation tools, the optimal installation tilt angle and area of PV panels are determined, enabling near-zero energy operation while satisfying heating demands. The results indicate that optimizing the tilt angle and surface coverage of PV panels, together with rational spatial reconfiguration of heating equipment, can substantially enhance indoor thermal comfort and achieve heating near-zero energy performance under local climatic conditions. Simulation and calculation results show that the optimal PV installation tilt angle for zero-energy heating is 40°. The optimal rooftop PV installation area is 61 m 2 , accounting for 15.2% of the building's total roof area and approximately 95.2% of the total building surface area, which enables near-zero energy operation during the heating season while maximizing economic benefits.