Maximizing Solar Energy Utilization through Multicriteria Pareto Optimization of Energy Harvesting and Regulating Smart Windows

Chen Wang; Shuangcheng Yu; Xiaoru Guo; Tucker Kearney; Peijun Guo; Robert Chang; Junhong Chen; Wei Chen; Cheng Sun

Cell Reports Physical Science (Jul 2020)

Maximizing Solar Energy Utilization through Multicriteria Pareto Optimization of Energy Harvesting and Regulating Smart Windows

Chen Wang,
Shuangcheng Yu,
Xiaoru Guo,
Tucker Kearney,
Peijun Guo,
Robert Chang,
Junhong Chen,
Wei Chen,
Cheng Sun

Affiliations

Chen Wang: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
Shuangcheng Yu: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
Xiaoru Guo: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
Tucker Kearney: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
Peijun Guo: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
Robert Chang: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
Junhong Chen: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Corresponding author
Wei Chen: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; Corresponding author
Cheng Sun: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; Corresponding author

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 1, no. 7
p. 100108

Abstract

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Summary: Windows play a crucial role in regulating solar energy exchange with a building, while supporting many essential functions, including natural daylighting, ventilation, and visual contact with the outside. These distinct functions often make complex and sometimes conflicting demands of solar energy. Here, we report a multicriteria Pareto optimization approach to obtain optimal balance of the energy-harvesting and energy-regulating functions for a smart window device. The optimal design is validated experimentally using a nanofabricated prototyping smart window device, which comprises a semi-transparent perovskite solar cell and an aperiodic multilayer nanophotonic coating. Based on experimental characterization of the prototype, calculations using EnergyPlus project an annual energy savings of 13,560 kWh or 187% over a chromogenic smart window for a 2,000-ft2 single-story residential building located in Phoenix, Arizona. The reported multicriteria optimization and the nanophotonic device architecture offer promising solutions for the efficient utilization of solar energy.

Published in Cell Reports Physical Science

ISSN: 2666-3864 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Science: Physics
Website: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-physical-science

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