Orientation of Facades for Active Solar Energy Applications in Different Climatic Conditions

Abstract

This study presents an investigation concerning the conversion of solar radiation into heat, cold, and electricity on the facades of virtual buildings located in four different cities that correspond to different climatic conditions. Two of the cities are in Eastern Europe, Romania, one city is situated in Western Europe, Spain, and one city is on the western coast of the United States. Four different solar active applications integrated in the facades were investigated: heating based on flat solar collectors, cooling based on a LiBr-H2O absorption cycle, photovoltaic conversion of solar radiation in electricity, and conversion of heat into electricity based on an organic Rankine cycle. The facades most suitable for investments in the solar active applications were recommended and it was found that both location and the type of application were influencing such recommendations. For both locations in Romania the facade facing west was recommended for all types of applications. For the location in Spain, for both heating and cooling, the first recommendation is the facade facing east and the second recommendation is the facade facing south. Although for electrical applications, the first recommendation is the facade facing south, and the second recommendation is the facade facing east. For the location in the United States, for heating and cooling, the first recommendation is the facade facing west, and the second recommendation is the facade facing south. Although, for electrical applications, the first recommendation is the facade facing south, and the second recommendation is the facade facing west.