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The Effect of Facade Orientation on the Electrical Performance of a BIPV System: A Case Study in João Pessoa, Brazil

Author

Listed:
  • Michelli Mayara de Medeiros Gomes

    (Multiphysics Energy Simulation Laboratory (LABSIMER), Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Center for Alternative and Renewable Energies (CEAR), Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil)

  • Renan Douglas Lopes da Silva Cavalcante

    (Graduate Program in Renewable Energy (PPGER), Center for Alternative and Renewable Energies (CEAR), Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil)

  • Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior

    (Research Group on Energy & Energy Sustainability (GPEnSE), Academic Unit of Cabo de Santo Agostinho (UACSA), Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Cabo de Santo Agostinho 54518-430, Brazil)

  • Claudio Del Pero

    (Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI), 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • João Alves de Lima

    (Multiphysics Energy Simulation Laboratory (LABSIMER), Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Center for Alternative and Renewable Energies (CEAR), Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil)

  • Taynara Geysa Silva do Lago

    (Multiphysics Energy Simulation Laboratory (LABSIMER), Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, Center for Alternative and Renewable Energies (CEAR), Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil
    Graduate Program in Renewable Energy (PPGER), Center for Alternative and Renewable Energies (CEAR), Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil)

Abstract

Photovoltaic solar energy has emerged as a vital solution in energy transition, especially in buildings with building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems. This study evaluated a BIPV system in João Pessoa, Brazil, using PVsyst 7.4 software for simulations in 2023 and experimental tests in 2024 to compare real and simulated energy values injected into the grid. The experiments were conducted in April, June, July, and August, covering seasonal variations. The east and west orientations showed the best performance, with annual production of 65.5 and 81.6 kWh, respectively, due to the balanced solar irradiance. Conversely, the north and south orientations generated less electricity, with 51.3 and 42.1 kWh, respectively, due to lower direct solar exposure. The average injected energy was 0.2445 to 0.2530 kWh/day in April, 0.2851 to 0.2470 kWh/day in June, 0.2816 to 0.2400 kWh/day in July, and 0.1556 to 0.1700 kWh/day in August. Performance ratios were 44.3% for the north, 44.4% for the south, 47.4% for the east, and 56.8% for the west, highlighting the impact of orientation. It is concluded that the east and west facades are more suitable for BIPV systems in João Pessoa, emphasizing the importance of local factors in optimizing urban energy efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelli Mayara de Medeiros Gomes & Renan Douglas Lopes da Silva Cavalcante & Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junior & Claudio Del Pero & João Alves de Lima & Taynara Geysa Silva do Lago, 2025. "The Effect of Facade Orientation on the Electrical Performance of a BIPV System: A Case Study in João Pessoa, Brazil," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-19, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:4:p:829-:d:1588372
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. El Kassar, Razan & Al Takash, Ahmad & El Rassy, Elissa & Hammoud, Mohammad & Py, Xavier, 2026. "Evaluating the sustainability of pv technologies and their cooling systems: a life cycle assessment review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 404(C).
    2. Andreja Stefanović & Ivana Rakonjac & Dorin Radu & Marijana Hadzima-Nyarko & Christiana Emilia Cazacu, 2025. "Technical, Economic, and Environmental Assessment of the High-Rise Building Facades as Locations for Photovoltaic Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-26, October.
    3. Jessica Valeria Lugo & Norah Nadia Sánchez Torres & Renan Douglas Lopes da Silva Cavalcante & Taynara Geysa Silva do Lago & João Alves de Lima & Jorge Javier Gimenez Ledesma & Oswaldo Hideo Ando Junio, 2025. "Evaluation of Technological Alternatives for the Energy Transition of Coal-Fired Power Plants, with a Multi-Criteria Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-39, August.

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