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A Study of Optimal Specifications for Light Shelves with Photovoltaic Modules to Improve Indoor Comfort and Save Building Energy

Author

Listed:
  • Heangwoo Lee

    (Major in Spatial Design, College of Design, Sangmyung University, Cheonan-si 31066, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea)

  • Xiaolong Zhao

    (Department of Design, College of Design, Sangmyung University, Cheonan-si 31066, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea)

  • Janghoo Seo

    (School of Architecture, Kookmin University, 77, Jeongneung-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02707, Korea)

Abstract

Recent studies on light shelves found that building energy efficiency could be maximized by applying photovoltaic (PV) modules to light shelf reflectors. Although PV modules generate a substantial amount of heat and change the consumption of indoor heating and cooling energy, performance evaluations carried out thus far have not considered these factors. This study validated the effectiveness of PV module light shelves and determined optimal specifications while considering heating and cooling energy savings. A full-scale testbed was built to evaluate performance according to light shelf variables. The uniformity ratio was found to improve according to the light shelf angle value and decreased as the PV module installation area increased. It was determined that PV modules should be considered in the design of light shelves as their daylighting and concentration efficiency change according to their angles. PV modules installed on light shelves were also found to change the indoor cooling and heating environment; the degree of such change increased as the area of the PV module increased. Lastly, light shelf specifications for reducing building energy, including heating and cooling energy, were not found to apply to PV modules since PV modules on light shelf reflectors increase building energy consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Heangwoo Lee & Xiaolong Zhao & Janghoo Seo, 2021. "A Study of Optimal Specifications for Light Shelves with Photovoltaic Modules to Improve Indoor Comfort and Save Building Energy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-24, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2574-:d:510553
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arkadiusz Dobrzycki & Dariusz Kurz & Stanisław Mikulski & Grzegorz Wodnicki, 2020. "Analysis of the Impact of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) on Reducing the Demand for Electricity and Heat in Buildings Located in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Yingdong He & Nianping Li & Xiang Wang & Meiling He & De He, 2017. "Comfort, Energy Efficiency and Adoption of Personal Cooling Systems in Warm Environments: A Field Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-26, November.
    3. Yadav, Somil & Panda, S.K., 2020. "Thermal performance of BIPV system by considering periodic nature of insolation and optimum tilt-angle of PV panel," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 136-146.
    4. Chae, Young Tae & Kim, Jeehwan & Park, Hongsik & Shin, Byungha, 2014. "Building energy performance evaluation of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) window with semi-transparent solar cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 217-227.
    5. Heangwoo Lee & Janghoo Seo, 2020. "Performance Evaluation of External Light Shelves by Applying a Prism Sheet," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-14, September.
    6. Heangwoo Lee, 2020. "A Basic Study on the Performance Evaluation of a Movable Light Shelf with a Rolling Reflector That Can Change Reflectivity to Improve the Visual Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-19, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ružena Králiková & Laura Džuňová & Ervin Lumnitzer & Miriama Piňosová, 2022. "Simulation of Artificial Lighting Using Leading Software to Evaluate Lighting Conditions in the Absence of Daylight in a University Classroom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Amir Faraji & Fatemeh Rezaei & Payam Rahnamayiezekavat & Maria Rashidi & Hossein Soleimani, 2023. "Subjective and Simulation-Based Analysis of Discomfort Glare Metrics in Office Buildings with Light Shelf Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-21, August.

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