Innovative design of adjustable multi-slat photovoltaic shading devices for energy-efficient office spaces in Sydney

A dual function of shading and electricity generation can be achieved with Photovoltaic Shading Devices (PVSDs); however, existing static systems lack adaptability to dynamic solar conditions. Therefore, an adjustable dual-axis solar-tracking multi-slat PVSD system is proposed in this study to address these limitations, positively impacting energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

An office space at the University of Technology Sydney is considered as a real-world case study, and parametric modeling is conducted using Grasshopper and Ladybug tools for energy and daylight simulations. Results show that a net-zero energy building (NZEB) can be achieved with dynamic PVSDs, covering cooling energy demand in all scenarios and lighting energy demands in cases with higher window-to-wall ratios (WWRs).

The practical feasibility and scalability of adaptive PVSDs are demonstrated in this study, advancing sustainable building design.