Study on energy and economic performance of solar PV hollow vacuum glazing for high-rise hotel building in different climate zones

To address the imperative for energy conservation and carbon reduction needs of high-rise hotel building in diverse climate zones, this study systematically evaluates the energy and economic performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) hollow vacuum glazing for application in five typical climate zones in China. For comparative analysis, three traditional glazing are also examined and compared including insulated glazing unit, PV hollow glazing and PV vacuum glazing based on the coupled glazing and EnergyPlus platform. The comprehensive performance of each glazing system is assessed across multiple dimensions: annual energy consumption, decarbonization potential, life-cycle economic viability, and visual comfort. The hotel model consists of thirteen floors, each with a height of 3.76 meters, and the total building area is 1,800 square meters. It is indicated that the PV hollow vacuum glazing exhibits optimal thermal performance with a thermal transmittance at 0.811 W/m2·K and solar heat gain coefficient at 0.193. The net building energy consumption using the PV hollow vacuum glazing is reduced by 38.86% (Hefei) ~ 62.50% (Kunming) compared with the insulated glazing unit among the five climate zones. The decarbonation benefits using the PV hollow vacuum glazing are about 1265.52 tons (Hohhot) ~ 220.79 tons (Kunming) in five climate zones. The lifetime net present value of the PV hollow vacuum glazing is about 7.08 million CNY~10.10 million CNY in five climate zones, representing an increase of 10.69%~15.25% compared to PV vacuum glazing and an increase of 57.23% ~ 81.36% compared to PV hollow glazing. The maximum uncomfortable glare index of the PV hollow vacuum glazing ranges from 0.1717 (Hefei) to 0.1875 (Hohhot). This study provides detailed technical-economic-environmental performance data of the PV hollow vacuum glazing for application in different climate zones, which can be valuable reference for relative stakeholders for its practical application towards low-energy building.