Abstract:
The increasing demand for electricity is straining our natural resources. To secure a sustainable
future, a transition to renewable energy sources is underway aimed at reducing resource
depletion and environmental harm. During the last few years, the evolution of solar industry has
made it possible to use it on domestic scale also. Development of structures that are more
sustainable and eco-friendlier is the imperative of the time. Phase change materials (PCM’s) and
Photovoltaics (PVs) have emerged as a promising technology with potential to revolutionize the
building sector.
In the past although PCM’s and solar panels integration has been studied but none of the study
incorporated the climatic condition of Pakistan. The outcomes of this study offer valuable
insights into the viability of PCM-enhanced BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) systems as
an effective and economically feasible approach for creating energy-efficient buildings. These
findings also enhance our comprehension of the economic practicality and real-world application
of such technologies within the construction sector. For this purpose, a common residential unit
in Pakistan is selected which is then analyzed in various climatic conditions across the country.
With the inclusion of PCMs demand of energy is decreased by 7-12% in different climatic
conditions with maximum decrease is observed 12.25% in case of Lahore, cooling demand of the
building is decreased by 10-17% whereas maximum decrease is observed in Murree by 17.75%
and heating demand reduced by 12-20%. BIPV system increased the solar production overall by
50.03% and net zero energy target is achieved. The knowledge derived from this research holds
significant value for policymakers, architects, and engineers, empowering them to make
informed decisions when considering the implementation of PCM-enhanced BIPV systems. Such
decisions can play a pivotal role in advancing the creation of environmentally sustainable and
energy-efficient buildings.
