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Influence of Air Layer Characteristics on the Heat Transfer Performance of Photovoltaic Dairy Barn Roofs

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  • Qi Wang

    (College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
    Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Yunying Liu

    (College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
    Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Fei Qi

    (College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
    Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Xinyi Du

    (Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
    Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Product Safety, Hefei 230031, China)

  • Geqi Yan

    (College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China)

  • Zhen Wang

    (College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
    Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Hui Liu

    (College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
    Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Chaoyuan Wang

    (College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
    Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100083, China
    Beijing Engineering Research Center on Animal Healthy Environment, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Zhengxiang Shi

    (College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
    Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100083, China
    Beijing Engineering Research Center on Animal Healthy Environment, Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

To enhance energy utilization efficiency, dairy farmers have increasingly adopted photovoltaic (PV) panels on barn roofs. However, there is currently a general separation between the barn construction and the additional aspects of the PV system. It is unclear to dairy farmers whether rooftop PV panels will have an impact on the dairy barn, particularly on the thermal environment. This study investigated the influence of air layer properties, specifically thickness and ventilation conditions, on the thermal performance of PV dairy barn roofs. Utilizing the harmonic analysis method, the study quantified its dynamic thermal properties. The results demonstrated that increasing the air layer thickness in ventilated roofs decreases heat flux and improves thermal resistance (1.67–2.15 times higher than non-PV roofs). In contrast, sealed air layers exhibit consistently high thermal resistance (up to 3.33 times higher). Optimizing ventilated air layer thickness (0.20–0.30 m) effectively minimizes heat ingress and prevents PV efficiency degradation. These results provide valuable insights for optimizing the design of energy-efficient PV dairy barns, enhancing thermal comfort, and contributing to low-carbon energy solutions in livestock facilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Qi Wang & Yunying Liu & Fei Qi & Xinyi Du & Geqi Yan & Zhen Wang & Hui Liu & Chaoyuan Wang & Zhengxiang Shi, 2025. "Influence of Air Layer Characteristics on the Heat Transfer Performance of Photovoltaic Dairy Barn Roofs," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:18:p:1938-:d:1748680
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Luo, Yongqiang & Zhang, Ling & Bozlar, Michael & Liu, Zhongbing & Guo, Hongshan & Meggers, Forrest, 2019. "Active building envelope systems toward renewable and sustainable energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 470-491.
    2. Zhang, Tiantian & Yang, Hongxing, 2019. "Heat transfer pattern judgment and thermal performance enhancement of insulation air layers in building envelopes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 834-845.
    3. Zhang, Tiantian & Tan, Yufei & Yang, Hongxing & Zhang, Xuedan, 2016. "The application of air layers in building envelopes: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 707-734.
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