From Flora to Solar Adaptive Facades: Integrating Plant-Inspired Design with Photovoltaic Technologies

Jalali, Sara; Nicoletti, Eleonora; Badarnah, Lidia

Abstract

Recognizing the significance of solar energy as a vital renewable energy source in building envelope design is becoming more and more important and needs urgent attention. Exploring solar adaptation strategies found in plants offers a wide range of effective design possibilities that can substantially improve building performance. Thus, integrating solar technologies with biomimetic solar adaptive solutions could establish a suitable combination towards a sustainable design. In this context, this study follows an interdisciplinary approach to provide a link between plants’ solar adaptation strategies, building integrated photovoltaics and building envelope design. To do so, a framework has been presented using data synthesis and classification to support the potential integration of three photovoltaic (PV) technologies with plant-inspired building envelope design, facilitating a harmonizing approach between biomimetic design and the application of photovoltaic technologies in buildings.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 18, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jan 29, 2024
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jan 30, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 31, 2024
• Journal: Sustainability (Switzerland)
• Print ISSN: 2071-1050
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 3
• Article Number: 1145
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031145
• Keywords: facade, building envelope, biomimetics, building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), nature, adaptation, architecture, energy
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11642247