Identification of Building-Surrounded Obstacle Parameter Using Automated Simulation to Support Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Layout Planning in Thailand

The overall aim of this study was to explore the comparative effects between obstacle’s distance and obstacle’s orientation parameters that cause partially shading effects and influence the potential solar power generation of a photovoltaic (PV) system. An automatic collaboration of a BIM authoring software and a cloud-based building performance analysis tool were used to simulate the annual cumulative insolation obtained from rooftop PV surfaces of eight different orientations and forty-three different distances between the BIPV and building obstacle. Two public healthcare buildings, an OPD and a ward building that widely established throughout Thailand were our case study. This study also explores that orientation and distance of a surrounding obstacle are both important parameters that influencing the annual cumulative insolation of PV surfaces but in the different contexts. The findings of this study also support decision making for BIPV designers and planners to acknowledge which the BIPV and the obstacle placement is highly effective, and which one is encountering a problem and its solution.