Low Carbon Emission through the Use of BIPV Windows in Algerian Mid-Rise Buildings

Abstract

Sustainable developments in the field of architecture are turning out to be increasingly vital which requires the utilization of renewable energy and the reduction of energy consumption in Algerian mid-rise buildings. However, Algeria energy utilization which is not sustainable has contributed to excess amount of CO2 emission. This study investigated the potential of using PV system in vertical façade (azimuth 90 °) and identifies the yield of photovoltaic in each orientation and tilt angle (horizontal, 30°, 90°). Through a series of simulations were perform in eight azimuth (and tilt angle from 0 ° to 90 °) throughout four season by using Polysun software in order to evaluate the optimum power output of 1.54 m2 of Mono-crystalline windows. This was carried out on a 7th floor office building of Tebessa University which contain, the area of the roof 242 m2, the area of whole facades 1,904 m2, whereas the surface of the opening (windows) 580 m2. The difference of energy output in mid-rise building (7 levels) between the Roof area and whole façade area was up to 3.6 times. Consequently, after calculation the total amount of energy output. It revealed that the energy output of BIPV windows is higher than BIPV on the roof; however the performance of the BIPV in the roof is much better than façade. In overall, the application the BIPV windows in mid-rise buildings under semi-arid climate is favorable and convenient, increased the CO2 saving to 173.4 kWh/y, and reduce more than 200 kWh/y energy to supply the energy of buildings.