3D BIPV Curtain Wall With Micro-Oculus Shaders for Daylighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) facades face issues with performance degradation, limited architectural flexibility, and high carbon emissions, failing to effectively reduce energy consumption and improve indoor environmental quality in tall building enclosures.
Innovation Solution
A cost-effective, prefabricated 3D photovoltaic curtain wall system with rotatable micro-oculus shaders that reflect sun path geometry, integrated with a closed air cavity, providing maximum solar exposure, energy production, and improved daylighting while maintaining architectural aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional BIPV facades are used, then photovoltaic energy production is achieved, but performance degradation occurs and longevity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The BIPV facade is divided into modular panels that can be independently replaced. Each panel contains photovoltaic cells integrated with building materials, allowing selective replacement of degraded modules without replacing the entire facade system, thus maintaining reliability while extending overall service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials combining photovoltaic cells with durable building materials such as glass, metal, or polymer matrices. These composites enhance the structural integrity and environmental resistance of the BIPV facade, reducing performance degradation and extending longevity to meet building code requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional BIPV facades are used, then solar energy production is achieved, but architectural aesthetic flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The facade is segmented into standardized modular panels that can be arranged in various patterns and configurations. This modularity enables diverse architectural expressions including different colors, textures, and geometric arrangements while maintaining the photovoltaic function, thus achieving both aesthetic flexibility and design variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The BIPV panels are designed as multi-functional elements that simultaneously provide photovoltaic energy generation, building envelope protection, and architectural aesthetic expression. The universal modular design allows the same basic panel to be used in various architectural contexts and styles, enhancing adaptability across different building types.
3Loss of energy
If conventional BIPV facades are used, then photovoltaic integration is achieved, but energy consumption reduction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the photovoltaic energy generation function with the building envelope function into a single integrated facade system. This combination eliminates the need for separate glazing and shading systems, reducing overall energy consumption while maximizing the surface area available for solar energy production, thus improving energy productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The BIPV facade incorporates dynamic elements such as adjustable shading devices or movable panels that can optimize solar exposure throughout the day and year. This dynamic adjustment maximizes energy production during peak solar periods while reducing heat gain during extreme conditions, enhancing both energy efficiency and productivity.
4Illumination intensity
If conventional BIPV facades are used, then solar integration is achieved, but indoor environmental quality improvement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The BIPV facade employs local quality variations through different panel types arranged in specific patterns. Some panels are designed with higher light transmission properties to provide daylighting to interior spaces, while others have optimized photovoltaic coverage for maximum energy production. This spatial differentiation of panel characteristics simultaneously improves indoor illumination and maintains overall environmental quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances energy savings, reduces carbon emissions, and improves occupant health by maximizing solar power output, summer shading, winter solar gain, and year-round daylighting, outperforming traditional BIPV systems in energy production and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the upper shading portion includes photovoltaic elements on a top portion of the upper shading portion
Implementation Method 2
rotatable or fixed micro-oculus shaders of varying angles or curvatures... configured to reflect sun path geometry
Data Source
AI summary
A photovoltaic curtain wall system includes a three-dimensional (3D) solar module configured to receive sunlight and reflect sun path geometry; an interior glass unit comprising a single or a double glass panel; an exterior glass panel offset from the interior glass unit forming a gap therebetween, wherein the gap is a conditioned, closed air cavity receiving the solar module. The solar module includes rotatable or fixed micro-oculus shaders at varying angles or curvatures, each micro-oculus shader including an ocular shape with an upper shading portion including photovoltaic elements and a lower shading portion, and the rotatable or fixed micro-oculus shaders are arranged in an array forming open areas therein that are configured to allow a view therethrough. The photovoltaic curtain wall system is a prefabricated curtain wall system configured to be integrated with a building.