Design and Performance Assessment of Photovoltaic Building Envelopes for a Prototype Office Building in the Mediterranean

Öz

In recent years, with the depletion of energy resources, studies on the use of renewable and clean energy sources have increased rapidly. The use of renewable energy sources is particularly prominent in the construction sector, which has a high energy consumption. This study examines the energy performance of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems applied to different façade designs in a prototype office building in the Mediterranean climate, specifically designed for renewable energy use in buildings. Four different PV façade design scenarios were determined for the prototype building, and energy performance analyses were conducted using the DesignBuilder simulation program. In this context, energy performance values such as Energy Coverage Ratio (ECR) and Self-Consumption Ratio (SCR) of the scenarios were compared. As a result of the comparison, the S2 inclined PV façade demonstrated the highest ECR (42.92%) and the lowest SCR (70.9%). The findings show that facade designs and the application of PV systems are important elements in determining the building energy performance and can meet a significant portion of the energy consumption. The study contributes to the evaluation of energy performance arising from differences in PV system applications in façade designs during the building's preliminary design process.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• BIPV
• building envelope
• office building
• facade design
• energy performance

Akdeniz'deki Prototip Ofis Binası için Fotovoltaik Bina Kabuğu Tasarımı ve Performans Değerlendirmesi

Öz

Son yıllarda enerji kaynaklarının tükenmesi ile birlikte yenilenebilir ve temiz enerji kaynaklarının kullanılmasına yönelik çalışmalar hızla artmıştır. Özellikle yüksek enerji tüketimine sahip olan yapı sektöründe yenilenebilir enerji kaynaklarının kullanımı ön plana çıkmaktadır. Çalışmada, binalarda yenilenebilir enerji kullanımına yönelik Akdeniz ikliminde prototip ofis binasına farklı cephe tasarımları ile uygulanan BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic) sistemlerin enerji performansları incelenmektedir. Prototip bina üzerinden dört farklı PV cephe tasarım senaryosu belirlenerek enerji performans analizleri DesignBuilder simülasyon programı aracılığıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu bağlamda senaryoların enerji karşılama oranı (Energy Coverage Ratio - ECR), öz tüketim oranı (Self-Consumption Ratio - SCR) gibi enerji performans değerleri karşılaştırılmıştır. Karşılaştırma sonucunda, S2 eğimli PV cephe en yüksek ECR (%42,92) ve en düşük SCR (%70,9) değerlerini göstermiştir. Ulaşılan bulgular, cephe tasarımları ve PV sistemlerinin uygulanma biçimlerinin bina enerji performansını belirlemede önemli bir unsur olduğunu ve enerji tüketiminin önemli bir kısmını karşılayabileceğini göstermektedir. Çalışma bina ön tasarım sürecinde, cephe tasarımlarında PV sistem uygulamalarındaki farklılıklardan kaynaklı enerji performansının değerlendirilmesine yönelik katkı sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• BIPV
• cephe tasarımı
• yapı kabuğu
• ofis binası
• enerji performansı

Kaynakça

1. Abu Qadourah, J. (2020). Architectural integration of photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies in multi-family residential buildings in the Mediterranean area. (Doctor of Philosophy). Berlin University of the Arts, Berlin.
2. Abu Qadourah, J. (2022). Energy and economic potential for photovoltaic systems installed on the rooftop of apartment buildings in Jordan. Results in Engineering, 16, 100642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2022.100642.
3. Abu Qadourah, J. (2023). Evaluating solar-active shading solutions: a study of energy performance in Mediterranean residential architecture. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/17452007.2023.2267570.
4. Abu Qadourah, J., Al-Falahat, A. A. M., & Alrwashdeh, S. S. (2022). Assessment of solar photovoltaics potential installation into multi-family building’s envelope in Amman, Jordan. Cogent Engineering, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2022.2082059.
5. Aelenei, D., Lopes, R. A., Aelenei, L., & Gonçalves, H. (2019). Investigating the potential for energy flexibility in an office building with a vertical BIPV and a PV roof system. Renewable Energy, 137, 189-197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.07.140
6. Ascione, F., Bianco, N., Iovane, T., Mastellone, M., & Mauro, G. M. (2021). The evolution of building energy retrofit via double-skin and responsive façades: A review. Solar Energy, 224, 703-717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2021.06.035
7. Asfour, O. (2018). Solar and Shading Potential of Different Configurations of Building Integrated Photovoltaics Used as Shading Devices Considering Hot Climatic Conditions. Sustainability, 10, 4373. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124373.
8. Attia, S., Andersen, M., & Walter, E. (2013). Identifying And Modeling The Integrated Design Process Of Net Zero Energy Buildings Paper presented at the High Performance Buildings - Design and Evaluation Methodologies, Belgium.

9. Barrutieta, X., Kolbasnikova, A., Irulegi, O., & Hernández, R. (2023). Decision-making framework for positive energy building design through key performance indicators relating geometry, localization, energy and PV system integration. Energy and Buildings, 297, 113442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113442
10. Basnet, A. (2012). Architectural Integration of Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Collector Systems into buildings. (Master Thesis). Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim.
11. Bayrak, F., Gönül, A., & Camci, M. (2025). Thermal management of photovoltaic panels using configurations of spray cooling systems. Applied Thermal Engineering, 274, 126656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2025.126656
12. Biloria, N., Makki, M., & Abdollahzadeh, N. (2023). Multi- performative façade systems: The case of real-time adaptive BIPV shading systems to enhance energy generation potential and visual comfort. Frontiers in Built Environment, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1119696
13. Buker, M. S., & Riffat, S. B. (2015). Building integrated solar thermal collectors – A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 51, 327-346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.06.009
14. Crassard, F., & Rode, J. (2007). The evolution of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in the German and French technological innovation systems for solar cells. (Master Degree). Chalmers University Of Technology, Göteborg.
15. Dabbagh, N. (2015). Football Stadium: Solar Envelope As An Architectural Tool. (Master Thesis). Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
16. Debbarma, M., Sudhakar, K., & Baredar, P. (2017). Comparison of BIPV and BIPVT: A review. Resource- Efficient Technologies, 3(3), 263-271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reffit.2016.11.013
17. DesignBuilder Software Ltd. (2024). DesignBuilder (Version 7.0) [Computer software]. https://designbuilder.co.uk
18. Düzgün, H., & Aladağ, H. (2016). A Roadmap For Sustainable Buildings : Integrated Design. Academic Journal of Science. 04(02). 233-248.
19. Elghamry, R., Hassan, H., & Hawwash, A. A. (2020). A parametric study on the impact of integrating solar cell panel at building envelope on its power, energy consumption, comfort conditions, and CO2 emissions. Journal of Cleaner Production, 249, 119374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119374
20. European Parliament and the Council. (2018). Directive (EU) 2018/844 of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency. Official Journal of the European Union, L 156, 75–91. https://eur- lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32018L0844
21. Freitas, S., & Serra, F. (2015). Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm for the Optimization of a PV System Arrangement. ISES Solar World Congress (SWC2015), South Korea.
22. Gholami, H., Nils Røstvik, H., & Steemers, K. (2021). The Contribution of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) to the Concept of Nearly Zero-Energy Cities in Europe: Potential and Challenges Ahead. Energies, 14(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/en14196015.
23. Ghosh, A. (2020). Potential of building integrated and attached/applied photovoltaic (BIPV/BAPV) for adaptive less energy-hungry building’s skin: A comprehensive review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 276, 123343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123343
24. Gonçalves, H., Aelenei, L., & Rodrigues, C. (2012). Solar XXI: A Portuguese Office Building towards Net Zero-Energy Building. Rehva Journal, 34-40.
25. Gwesha, A. O., Alfulayyih, Y. M., & Li, P. (2019). Optimization of Fixed PV Panel “Tilt” Angles for Maximal Energy Harvest Considering Year-Around Sky Coverage Conditions. Paper presented at the ASME 2019 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Utah, USA. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2019-10391
26. Hasan, A. S. M. M., & Trianni, A. (2023). Boosting the adoption of industrial energy efficiency measures through Industry 4.0 technologies to improve operational performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 425, 138597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138597
27. International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS). (2023). Guide for Technological Innovation System Analysis for Building Integrated Photovoltaics 2023. IEA-PVPS. https://iea-pvps.org/
28. International Energy Agency (IEA). (2022). Energy Efficiency 2022. IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-efficiency-2022
29. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2024). Tripling renewable power by 2030: The role of the G7 in turning targets into action. IRENA. Abu Dhabi. https://www.irena.org/Publications
30. Kaftan, M., Sautter, S., & Kubicek, B. (2019). Integrating BIPV during Early Stages of Building Design. Paper presented at the 37 Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe and XXIII Iberoamerican Society of Digital Graphics.
31. Karteris, M., Slini, T., & Papadopoulos, A. M. (2013). Urban solar energy potential in Greece: A statistical calculation model of suitable built roof areas for photovoltaics. Energy and Buildings, 62, 459-468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.03.033
32. Karteris, M., Theodoridou, I., Mallinis, G., & Papadopoulos, A. M. (2014). Façade photovoltaic systems on multifamily buildings: An urban scale evaluation analysis using geographical information systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 39, 912-933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.063
33. Kaya, G. N. (2022). Yapı Kabuğunda Aktif Güneş Sistemleri Odaklı Bütünleşik Tasarım Yaklaşımlarının Simülasyon Tabanlı Analizi (Master Thesis). Gazi Üniversitesi, Ankara.
34. Kaya, G. N., & Beyhan, F. (2021). Integrated design approaches with photovoltaic panel and solar collectors in building envelope. World Journal of Environmental Research, 11(2), 49-61. https://doi.org/10.18844/wjer.v11i2.7232
35. Kaya, G. N., & Beyhan, F. (2024). A Study on the Potential of Photovoltaic Panels in Existing Buildings: Housing Example in the Mediterranean. Online Journal of Art and Design, 12(1), 73-87.
36. Kaya, G. N., & Beyhan, F. (2025). Yapılarda Güneş Enerjisi Sistem Uygulamalarının Enerji Verimliliği Bağlamında Değerlendirilmesi. Tesisat Mühendisliği , 33(208), 31 - 40.
37. Kaya, G. N., Beyhan, F., İlerisoy, Z. Y., & Cudzik, J. (2025). Evaluation of machine learning applications in building life cycle processes for energy efficiency: A systematic review. Energy Reports, 13, 4900-4916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2025.04.034.
38. Khan, S., Sudhakar, K., & bin Yusof, M. H. (2023). Building integrated photovoltaics powered electric vehicle charging with energy storage for residential building: Design, simulation, and assessment. Journal of Energy Storage, 63, 107050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2023.107050
39. Kirimtat, A., Tasgetiren, M. F., Brida, P., & Krejcar, O. (2022). Control of PV integrated shading devices in buildings: A review. Building and Environment, 214, 108961. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.108961
40. Kiss, C. A. (1993). Building-Integrated Photovoltaics. (Technical Report). National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Golden, Colorado.
41. Koch, C., & Buhl, H. (2013). Integrated Design Process: A Concept for Green Energy Engineering. Engineering, 05, 292-298. doi:10.4236/eng.2013.53039.
42. Kuhn, T., Erban, C., Heinrich, M., Eisenlohr, J., Ensslen, F., & Neuhaus, D. (2020). Review of Technological Design Options for Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). Energy and Buildings, 217. 110381. doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.110381.
43. Kürüm Varolgüneş, F., Varolgüneş, S., Rama, D., & Durán- Sánchez, A. (2023). A proposal for the Selection of Green Building Standards through the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP): A Roadmap for Green Hotels in Turkey. Quality & Quantity. doi:10.1007/s11135-023-01756-y.
44. Li, D. H. W., Aghimien, E. I., & Alshaibani, K. (2023). An Analysis of Real-Time Measured Solar Radiation and Daylight and Its Energy Implications for Semi-Transparent Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Façades. Buildings, 13(2), 386. doi:10.3390/buildings13020386.
45. Li, D. H. W., & Tsang, E. K. W. (2008). An analysis of daylighting performance for office buildings in Hong Kong. Building and Environment, 43(9), 1446-1458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2007.07.002
46. Maduta, C., D’Agostino, D., Tsemekidi-Tzeiranaki, S., & Castellazzi, L. (2025). From Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEBs) to Zero-Emission Buildings (ZEBs): Current status and future perspectives. Energy and Buildings, 328, 115133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.115133
47. Mandalaki, M., Tsoutsos, T., & Papamanolis, N. (2014). Integrated PV in shading systems for Mediterranean countries: Balance between energy production and visual comfort. Energy and Buildings, 77, 445-456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.03.046
48. Mandalaki, M., Zervas, K., Tsoutsos, T., & Vazakas, A. (2012). Assessment of fixed shading devices with integrated PV for efficient energy use. Solar Energy, 86(9), 2561-2575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2012.05.026
49. Martín Chivelet, N., Kapsis, C., & Frontini, F. (2025). Building‐Integrated Photovoltaics: A Technical Guidebook. (IEA‐PVPS Task 15 Report). International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS), 2025. https://iea-pvps.org/
50. Martín-Chivelet, N., Kapsis, K., Wilson, H. R., Delisle, V., Yang, R., Olivieri, L., Polo, J., Eisenlolohr, J., Roy, B., Maturi, L., Otnes, G., Dallapiccola, M., & Upalakshi Wijeratne, W. M. P. (2022). Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) products and systems: A review of energy-related behavior. Energy and Buildings, 262, 111998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.111998
51. Meteoroloji Genel Müdürlüğü (MGM). (25 February 2026). Antalya Hava Durumu Verileri. https://www.mgm.gov.tr
52. Michailidis, P., Michailidis, I., & Kosmatopoulos, E. (2025). Reinforcement Learning for Optimizing Renewable Energy Utilization in Buildings: A Review on Applications and Innovations. Energies, 18, 1724. doi:10.3390/en18071724
53. Minelli, F., D'Agostino, D., Migliozzi, M., Minichiello, F., & D'Agostino, P. (2023). PhloVer: A Modular and Integrated Tracking Photovoltaic Shading Device for Sustainable Large Urban Spaces—Preliminary Study and Prototyping. Energies, 16, 5786. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16155786
54. Özer Yaman, G. (2025). Investigation of the Relationship Between Building Functions and Energy Performance Using BIM/BES Methods Across Different Climate Types. Isı Bilimi ve Tekniği Dergisi, 45, 172-192. https://doi.org/10.47480/isibted.1622706.
55. Peng, J., Curcija, D. C., Lu, L., Selkowitz, S. E., Yang, H., & Zhang, W. (2016). Numerical investigation of the energy saving potential of a semi-transparent photovoltaic double-skin facade in a cool-summer Mediterranean climate. Applied Energy, 165, 345-356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.12.074
56. Reddy K, P., Gupta, S., Nundy, S., Karthick, A., & Ghosh, A. (2020). Status of BIPV and BAPV System for Less Energy- Hungry Building in India-A Review. Applied Sciences, 10, 2337. doi:10.3390/app10072337.
57. Rehman, F., Syed, I. H., Khanam, S., Ijaz, S., Mehmood, H., Zubair, M., Massoud, Y., & Mehmood, M. Q. (2023). Fourth- generation solar cells: a review. Energy Advances, 2(9), 1239-1262. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3ya00179b.
58. Roy, A., Ghosh, A., Bhandari, S., Sundaram, S., & Mallick, T. K. (2020). Perovskite Solar Cells for BIPV Application: A Review. Buildings, 10(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings10070129.
59. Sánchez, E., & Izard, J. (2015). Performance of photovoltaics in non-optimal orientations: An experimental study. Energy and Buildings, 87, 211-219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.11.035
60. Santamouris, M., & Vasilakopoulou, K. (2021). Present and future energy consumption of buildings: Challenges and opportunities towards decarbonisation. e-Prime - Advances in Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Energy, 1, 100002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prime.2021.100002
61. Sayın, S., & Koç, İ. (2011). Güneş Enerjisinden Aktif Olarak Yararlanmada Kullanılan Fotovoltaik(PV) Sistemler Ve Yapılarda Kullanım Biçimleri. S.Ü. Müh.-Mim. Fak. Dergisi, c.26, s.3.
62. Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana (SUPSI). (2017). Building Integrated Photovoltaics: Product overview for solar building skins. SUPSI. Switzerland. https://www.supsi.ch/
63. Shi, S., Sun, J., Liu, M., Chen, X., Gao, W., & Song, Y. (2022). Energy-Saving Potential Comparison of Different Photovoltaic Integrated Shading Devices (PVSDs) for Single-Story and Multi-Story Buildings. Energies, 15(23). doi:10.3390/en15239196.
64. Shukla, A. K., Sudhakar, K., & Baredar, P. (2017). Recent advancement in BIPV product technologies: A review. Energy and Buildings, 140, 188-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.02.015
65. Sugianto, S. (2020). Comparative Analysis of Solar Cell Efficiency between Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline. INTEK: Jurnal Penelitian, 7, 92-100. https://doi.org/10.31963/intek.v7i2.2625.
66. Tabakovic, M., Fechner, H., & Knoebl, K. (2016). Framework and Requirements’ Analysis: Development of innovative educational material for Building-integrated PV. Utrecht, the Netherlands.
67. Tablada, A., Kosorić, V., Huang, H., Lau, S. S. Y., & Shabunko, V. (2020). Architectural quality of the productive façades integrating photovoltaic and vertical farming systems: Survey among experts in Singapore. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 9(2), 301-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2019.12.005
68. Tachir, G., Altınöz, M., & Mıhlayanlar, E. (2024). Energy Consumption at Accommodation Buildings: A Case Study of a Boutique Hotel-Abdera. Kocaeli Journal of Science and Engineering, 7(1), 71-80. doi:10.34088/kojose.1095837.
69. Tyagi, V. V., Rahim, N. A. A., Rahim, N. A., & Selvaraj, J. A. L. (2013). Progress in solar PV technology: Research and achievement. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 20, 443-461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2012.09.028
70. Wang, W., Liu, Y., Wu, X., Xu, Y., Yu, W., Zhao, C., & Zhong, Y. (2016). Environmental assessments and economic performance of BAPV and BIPV systems in Shanghai. Energy and Buildings, 130, 98-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.07.066
71. Wijeratne, W. M. P. U., Samarasinghalage, T. I., Yang, R. J., & Wakefield, R. (2022). Multi-objective optimisation for building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) roof projects in early design phase. Applied Energy, 309, 118476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118476
72. World Bank. (25 February 2026). Global Solar Atlas: Global horizontal irradiation – World dataset (2019). World Bank Group. https://globalsolaratlas.info/download/world
73. Yan, H., Zhang, Y., Liu, S., Cheung, K. M., & Ji, G. (2022). Optimization of Daylight and Thermal Performance of Building Façade: A Case Study of Office Buildings in Nanjing. 2021 DigitalFUTURES. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978- 981-16-5983-6_16
74. Yang, R. J., & Zou, P. X. W. (2016). Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV): costs, benefits, risks, barriers and improvement strategy. International Journal of Construction Management, 16(1), 39-53. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2015.1117709.
75. Yao, J. (2017). The application of natural ventilation of residential architecture in the integrated design. Paper presented at the IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.
76. Youssef, A. M. A., Zhai, Z. J., & Reffat, R. M. (2015). Design of optimal building envelopes with integrated photovoltaics. Building Simulation, 8(3), 353-366. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-015-0214-y.
77. Zhang, T., Wang, M., & Yang, H. (2018). A Review of the Energy Performance and Life-Cycle Assessment of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Systems. Energies, 11, 3157. https://doi.org/10.3390/en11113157.