Assessing the regional feasibility of a novel biomass-derived heat-absorbing window in China

Spectrally selective absorbing glazings have attracted growing attention as a promising route toward next-generation energy-efficient window technologies. Compared with conventional low-e glazing, spectrally absorbing designs enable more targeted spectral regulation; however, they may also increase secondary solar heat gain (SHG) and exhibit higher U-values. Whether spectrally selective absorbing glazings can replace low-e glazing has therefore remained a long-standing question in the window industry. To answer this question, this study employed a biomass-derived heat-absorbing glazing (HAG) as a case example, and developed a spectral optical transmission model and a transient heat-transfer model to quantify the annual heat gain/loss of HAG and low-e windows. The developed model were implemented across 371 cities in China. Across China's five climate zones, HAG delivers 55% to 97% higher annual radiative cooling capacity and 21% to 25% lower SHG than low-e window. For HAG, secondary SHG, particularly radiative SHG, plays dominate role in its total SHG and limits the net reduction in SHG. Final results indicate that HAG is better suited to hot region, whereas conventional low-e windows remain more advantageous in cold region. These data disclosed in this study can support climate-specific glazing strategies and provide evidence for next-generation green buildings.