A Systematic Review of Current Alternatives for Exploiting Solar Potential in Buildings Considering the Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

Solar energy technologies serve as pivotal components in the global pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of solar technologies, including photovoltaic (PV), thermal and PV/thermal (PVT) hybrid systems, with a specific focus on their application in buildings. After discussing the early days of the technology, this review analyses the current situation worldwide, with a special focus on Europe, and explores the integration of solar technologies into building design, energy systems, and infrastructure through a synthesis of recent research and practical applications. It examines advancements in PV efficiency, cost reduction solutions, and methodologies for understanding the solar potential of available space. Additionally, it delves into the efficiency enhancement and utilization of solar thermal (ST) systems for space heating, hot water provision, and air conditioning. Furthermore, the review discusses the synergistic integration of PVT systems and the possible methodologies for enhancing their energy performance. It also addresses the role of energy storage technologies, such as batteries and thermal storage, in optimizing solar energy utilization. After this extensive and careful review, a global bibliographic analysis is carried out using the Scopus database associated with four keywords (“Photovoltaic,” “Collector,” “PVT,” and “Building”), which provides an insight into the past, present and future of solar collection technologies.