Abstract
With the aim to promote carbon–neutral urban development, a number of recent pilot studies and building projects have investigated an innovative building retrofit solution: modular façade retrofit systems that combine photovoltaics products. Due to the novelty of this field, there is a limited systematic investigation of this promising solution. To present the state-of-the-art of this solution and to investigate future promotion needs, this study conducted a systematic literature study. Out of more than 200 relevant articles, 16 closely related papers were selected for in-depth review. Based on the review, the author proposed a definition of modular façade retrofit with integrated photovoltaics (MFRIPV) and summarized the current key focuses of MFRIPV, including energy performance and economic feasibility, system composition, and design process. The PV technologies and modular structural types of representative MFRIPV cases were also categorized. The findings showed that MFRIPV has satisfactory payback time and can be adopted in both residential and office buildings, providing multifunctional improvements such as better energy efficiency, interior daylight quality, solar energy harvesting and even vertical food production. To further promote MFRIPV application, the author suggested that aesthetic guidelines, integrated energy storage system, and design and management from a life-cycle perspective could be the next investigation priorities. The ultimate goal of MFRIPV should be “energy efficient, energy productive, aesthetically pleasing, user-centered design, easy for massive modular manufacture and assembling, easy for maintenance and upgrade, cost-effective’’. This study provided a foundation for advanced MFRIPV study and could serve as a reference for architects, building engineers, researchers, and policy-makers working in the field of sustainable urban renewal.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Arkar C, Žižak T, Domjan S, Medved S (2020) Dynamic parametric models for the holistic evaluation of semi-transparent photovoltaic/thermal façade with latent storage inserts. Appl Energy 280:115994. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APENERGY.2020.115994
Callegari G, Spinelli A, Bianco L, Serra V, Fantucci S (2015) NATURWALL© - a solar timber façade system for building refurbishment: optimization process through in field measurements. Energy Procedia 78:291–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2015.11.641
Chen T, Tai KF, Raharjo GP, Heng CK, Leow SW (2023) A novel design approach to prefabricated BIPV walls for multi-storey buildings. J Build Eng 63:105469. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JOBE.2022.105469
Dounas T, Lombardi D, Jabi W (2021) Framework for decentralised architectural design BIM and blockchain integration. Int J Archit Comput 19:157–173. https://doi.org/10.1177/1478077120963376
Du H, Huang P, Jones P (2019) Modular facade retrofit with renewable energy technologies: the definition and current status in Europe. Energy Build. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.109543
European Commission (2019) A European green deal [WWW Document]. https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en. Accessed 30 Jan 2023
Favoino F, Goia F, Perino M, Serra V (2016) Experimental analysis of the energy performance of an ACTive, RESponsive and Solar (ACTRESS) façade module. Sol Energy 133:226–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2016.03.044
Ferdous W, Bai Y, Ngo TD, Manalo A, Mendis P (2019) New advancements, challenges and opportunities of multi-storey modular buildings – a state-of-the-art review. Eng Struct 183:883–893. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENGSTRUCT.2019.01.061
Hosseini SM, Heidari S (2022) General morphological analysis of Orosi windows and morpho butterfly wing’s principles for improving occupant’s daylight performance through interactive kinetic façade. J Build Eng 59:105027. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JOBE.2022.105027
Hua H, Hovestadt L, Li B (2022) Reconfigurable modular system of prefabricated timber grids. Comput Aided Des 146:103230. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CAD.2022.103230
Lacey AW, Chen W, Hao H, Bi K (2018) Structural response of modular buildings – an overview. J Build Eng 16:45–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JOBE.2017.12.008
Lai Y, Li Y, Feng X, Ma T (2021) Green retrofit of existing residential buildings in China: an investigation on residents’ perceptions. Energy Environ 33:332–353. https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305X21998043
Lešnik M, Kravanja S, Premrov M, Žegarac Leskovar V (2020) Optimal design of timber-glass upgrade modules for vertical building extension from the viewpoints of energy efficiency and visual comfort. Appl Energy 270:115173. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APENERGY.2020.115173
Li M, Ma T, Liu J, Li H, Xu Y, Gu W, Shen L (2019) Numerical and experimental investigation of precast concrete facade integrated with solar photovoltaic panels. Appl Energy 253:113509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.113509
Loizou L, Barati K, Shen X, Li B (2021) Quantifying advantages of modular construction: waste generation. Buildings 11:622. https://doi.org/10.3390/BUILDINGS11120622
Lucchi E (2022) Integration between photovoltaic systems and cultural heritage: a socio-technical comparison of international policies, design criteria, applications, and innovation developments. Energy Policy 171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113303
Martín-Chivelet N, Gutiérrez JC, Alonso-Abella M, Chenlo F, Cuenca J (2018) Building retrofit with photovoltaics: construction and performance of a BIPV ventilated façade. Energies 11:1719. https://doi.org/10.3390/EN11071719
Menéndez A, Martínez A, Santos A, Ruiz B, Moritz K, Klein I, Díaz J, Lagunas AR, Sauermann T, Gómez D (2018) A multifunctional ETFE module for sustainable façade lighting: design, manufacturing and monitoring. Energy Build 161:10–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENBUILD.2017.12.023
Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (2021) Prevention of large-scale demolition and construction in the implementation of urban renewal initiatives [WWW Document]. http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2021-08/31/content_5634560.htm. Accessed 30 Jan 2023
Nagy Z, Svetozarevic B, Jayathissa P, Begle M, Hofer J, Lydon G, Willmann A, Schlueter A (2016) The adaptive solar facade: from concept to prototypes. Front Archit Res 5:143–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOAR.2016.03.002
Paiho S, Seppä IP, Jimenez C (2015) An energetic analysis of a multifunctional façade system for energy efficient retrofitting of residential buildings in cold climates of Finland and Russia. Sustain Cities Soc 15:75–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2014.12.005
Pandey R, Bhattarai S, Sharma K, Madan J, Al-Mousoi AK, Mohammed MKA, Hossain MK (2023) Halide composition engineered a non-toxic perovskite–silicon tandem solar cell with 30.7% conversion efficiency. ACS Appl Electron Mater. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACSAELM.2C01574
Pittau F, Malighetti LE, Iannaccone G, Masera G (2017) Prefabrication as large-scale efficient strategy for the energy retrofit of the housing stock: an Italian case study. Procedia Eng 180:1160–1169. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PROENG.2017.04.276
Rozanska M (2016) Multifunctional energy efficient façade system for building retrofitting
Saretta E, Caputo P, Frontini F (2020) An integrated 3D GIS-based method for estimating the urban potential of BIPV retrofit of façades. Sustain Cities Soc 62:102410. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCS.2020.102410
Shahrzad S, Umberto B (2022) Parametric optimization of multifunctional integrated climate-responsive opaque and ventilated façades using CFD simulations. Appl Therm Eng 204:117923. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APPLTHERMALENG.2021.117923
Sun H, Heng CK, Tay SER, Chen T, Reindl T (2021) Comprehensive feasibility assessment of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) on building surfaces in high-density urban environments. Sol Energy 225:734–746. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SOLENER.2021.07.060
Tablada A, Kosorić V, Huang H, Chaplin IK, Lau SK, Yuan C, Lau SSY (2018) Design optimization of productive façades: integrating photovoltaic and farming systems at the tropical technologies laboratory. Sustainability 10:3762. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU10103762
Tablada A, Kosorić V, Huang H, Lau SSY, Shabunko V (2020) Architectural quality of the productive façades integrating photovoltaic and vertical farming systems: survey among experts in Singapore. Front Archit Res 9:301–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOAR.2019.12.005
van Roosmalen M, Herrmann A, Kumar A (2021) A review of prefabricated self-sufficient facades with integrated decentralised HVAC and renewable energy generation and storage. Energy Build 248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111107
Wilkinson SJ, Noguchi M, Kim J-T, Altan H, Bantanur S, Formoso CT, Frattari A, Hashemi A, Onyango JO, Anissa K, Aoul T (2022) A simplified method for BIPV retrofitting of emirati public housing with preserved architectural identity: a pilot study. Sustainability 14:5227. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU14095227
Xiang C, Matusiak BS, Røyset A, Kolås T (2021a) Pixelization approach for façade integrated coloured photovoltaics-with architectural proposals in city context of Trondheim, Norway. Solar Energy 224:1222–1246. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SOLENER.2021.06.079
Xiang C, Moscoso Paredes CT, Matusiak BS (2021b) Aesthetic evaluation criteria for façade integrated photovoltaics in urban context. In: 38th European photovoltaic solar energy conference and exhibition. WIP, pp 1540–1544. https://doi.org/10.4229/EUPVSEC20212021-6CV.4.20
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this paper
Cite this paper
Wang, W., Xiang, C. (2024). Modular Façade Retrofit with Integrated Photovoltaics-Current Status and Future Development Demands. In: Papadikis, K., Zhang, C., Tang, S., Liu, E., Di Sarno, L. (eds) Towards a Carbon Neutral Future. ICSBS 2023. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 393. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-7965-3_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-7965-3_11
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-99-7964-6
Online ISBN: 978-981-99-7965-3
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)