{"title":"Useful shadow: A new independent metric to evaluate the overshadowing buildings","authors":"Niloofar Hashemi , Morteza Rahbar , Shahin Heidari , Parinaz Mansourimajoumerd","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2024.100086","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2024.100086","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study addresses the lack of a standardized method for assessing shadow quality in building performance (BP) influenced by shading creators (ShC). The Useful Shadow (USh) metric is introduced, implemented in Python, and compatible with tools like Ladybug, providing a unified framework for evaluating various ShCs. The USh benchmark streamlines BP evaluation during early architectural planning, reducing reliance on computationally intensive simulations. It is derived from a dataset of 13,600 parametric shading devices (SDs) generated through dynamic modeling. An ANN-based BP emulator, combined with NSGA-III, establishes the USh benchmark, which is validated across 13 SD classes and applied to two zones of a residential building, using on-site measurements. Additionally, a workflow and two examples are provided to improve the clarity and practical application of the USh method.</div><div>Although the USh benchmark encountered limitations in accurately identifying SDs with performance values close to the benchmark, particularly for low-efficiency SDs, the results demonstrate potential for wider application. This method provides a scalable, standardized metric for reliable shading performance evaluation aligned with regulatory codes. While the current USh benchmark was developed for Shiraz's climate and specific conditions, future work could extend its applicability by generating USh benchmarks for other architectural contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100086"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143168218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2025.100118
S.B. Karuppannan , B.N. Rao , K.S. Reddy
{"title":"Power generation potential of PV panels on building facades — facing cardinal directions in tropical climatic conditions","authors":"S.B. Karuppannan , B.N. Rao , K.S. Reddy","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100118","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100118","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Building Integrated Photovoltaic panels is the future where every building can be self-reliant by producing energy in either a fraction of its need or fully equal to its sustenance. An experimental setup was established to understand the solar insolation through PV panels that are vertically placed facing the cardinal directions — East, West, North, and South. In a typical condition, the actual power generation data from the photovoltaic panels at the +9 mts level conditions are unavailable. However, the typical Standard Testing Conditions (STC) energy generation data tagged in the Photovoltaic panels specification does not give the actual power generation in real-time conditions. Photovoltaic panels are installed facing North, South, East, and West directions vertically at 90°from the horizontal surface and the data of solar insolation is recorded every day for one solar year. With the installed PV panels of varying power watts, an energy conversion factor to calculate the potential of the energy produced by the PV panels is calculated. From the data, the energy conversion factor is found high for the east-facing PV panel, followed by West west-facing PV panel then the south-facing PV panel, and finally the north-facing PV panel. The cumulative potential of the power generation from all four sides is 0.75 as the Energy Conversion Factor. The scope of this study will evolve further possibilities to achieve nearly Net Zero Energy conditions in buildings, thus transforming buildings from being an energy consumer to an energy producer.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100118"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145010286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-02-12DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2025.100095
Dan Zhou, Kunli Yang, Yi Zhang, Qinghong Zhang
{"title":"Analysis of design parameters of Phase Change Material Boards (PCMBs) for reconstruction of lightweight building exterior wall","authors":"Dan Zhou, Kunli Yang, Yi Zhang, Qinghong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100095","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100095","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Installing phase change material boards (PCMBs) on existing buildings is regarded as an effective and economical approach to reduce the high energy consumption of buildings. In this paper, the thermal performance of PCMB under summer conditions are numerically studied, and the optimal thickness of PCMB for traditional brick-concrete exterior wall is theoretically analyzed. Unlike the constant room temperature used in other studies, this study employs a small range of sinusoidal fluctuations in room temperature. An improved evaluation parameter, Energy Saving Potential (ESP), derived from the variation of inner surface temperature of the PCMB, is introduced to evaluate the factors affecting its thermal performance. The results indicate that when the phase change temperature falls within the range of indoor air temperature, the narrower the phase change temperature, the higher the ESP. When the phase change range is 3 °C, the ESP value decreases by 3.7 % compared to the single phase transition temperature. In addition, higher latent heat of phase transition and lower thermal conductivity result in higher ESP. For the thermally optimized PCMB, a thickness of 10 mm can effectively maintain indoor thermal comfort and achieve energy saving. The purpose of this study is to optimize the thermophysical properties and thickness of PCMB by combining numerical and theoretical analysis, so as to provide support for the design and manufacture of the PCMBs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100095"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143419899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-02-25DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2025.100100
Brian Bartolo , Brian Azzopardi , Kenneth Scerri
{"title":"Development and implementation of a public data repository for photovoltaic systems: Case study malta's living laboratories","authors":"Brian Bartolo , Brian Azzopardi , Kenneth Scerri","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100100","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100100","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transition to renewable energy, particularly Photovoltaic systems (PVs), is pivotal in achieving carbon neutrality goals. However, effective performance monitoring through data sharing remains challenging, especially in regions with unique environmental conditions. This study addresses these gaps by introducing Malta's first public data repository for PVs under the PROMISE project. The initiative integrates high-precision, laboratory-grade sensors compliant with IEC standards to ensure robust data acquisition and processing. The methodology builds on international best practices, employing advanced monitoring frameworks to capture meteorological and system parameters with high temporal resolution. Using three of the ten PV Living Laboratories in Malta, the system reflects typical installations in a Mediterranean Island Territory climate and the Maltese context. Data collection and processing adhere to European standards and established practices from existing public data repositories, ensuring compatibility and interoperability. By leveraging open-source platforms, the repository enables real-time visualization and the provision of structured historical datasets. Performance metrics, such as the DC performance ratio, are further employed to highlight the value of data sharing and collaboration in optimizing system performance and advancing predictive maintenance strategies. This work establishes a scalable framework for local PV monitoring and data sharing, advancing research and innovation in renewable energy and promoting Malta's participation in foreign programs. Future expansions aim to include additional laboratories, automate data uploads, and integrate Artificial intelligence (AI) driven fault detection tools, enhancing the system's utility and reliability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100100"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143682402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-02-28DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2025.100099
Elena Tarpani , Veronica Lucia Castaldo , Ilaria Pigliautile , Benedetta Pioppi , Debora Cilio , Matteo Zulianello , Anna Laura Pisello , Franco Cotana
{"title":"The impact of energy transition policies on real estate efficiency and renewable energy communities (RECs): An analysis of public awareness and final energy uses in Italy","authors":"Elena Tarpani , Veronica Lucia Castaldo , Ilaria Pigliautile , Benedetta Pioppi , Debora Cilio , Matteo Zulianello , Anna Laura Pisello , Franco Cotana","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100099","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100099","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Green Deal seeks to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, positioning building operations and renewables promotion as a critical focus areas. Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) have emerged as a key driver of this transformation. In Italy, several policies have been introduced to promote their development; however, their impacts remain underexplored. This study examines the efficiency of real estate, the proliferation of RECs, and public perceptions related to these initiatives through a survey distributed at national level achieving 149 respondents. Findings reveal that 58 % of assessed buildings had undergone retrofit interventions, predominantly aimed at reducing energy bills. Furthermore, 46 % of respondents acknowledged the essential role of incentives in driving these changes, while 73 % of users reported modifications to their energy behaviours. Overall, occupants of retrofitted buildings and RECs participants demonstrated greater awareness of energy topics. These results underscore the critical importance of policy incentives in accelerating the energy transition and stress the need for targeted communication campaigns to enhance public awareness and engagement, so achieving the broader goal of carbon neutrality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100099"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143619182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Performance analysis of advanced deep learning technics: Application to solar energy forecasting and management in several cities in Chad","authors":"Osée Mounkang , Claude Vidal Aloyem Kaze , Nzoko Tayo Dieudonné , Ghislain Junior Bangoup Ntegmi , Duclair Paul Edouard Pountounynyi , Hervice Roméo Fogno Fotso , Armel Zambou Kenfack , Germaine Kenmoe Djuidje , René Tchinda","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100115","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100115","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate solar radiation prediction is essential as it provides detailed solar resource information to investors and governments, promoting solar energy development. The main objective of this study is to analyze advanced forecasting techniques and apply them to solar radiation prediction to enhance energy management in various cities in Chad. To achieve this, eight deep learning algorithms were used to optimize energy management. This study proposes a hybrid artificial intelligence model that combines LLM and LSTM methods, utilizing the Adam optimization algorithm to make hourly solar radiation predictions over a seven-day period. The data, sourced from the Chad weather station for the period 2013–2023, was used to train the models. Additionally, the predicted values were used to calculate the power output of a photovoltaic (PV) system, as well as its efficiency and the energy that could be stored. The results indicate that the statistical indicators for each algorithm range from 43.197 to 123.393 W/m² for RMSE, from 9.356 to 90.762 W/m for MAE, from 0.155 to 20.194 W/m² for MedAE, and from 0.822 to 0.998 for R². The analysis demonstrates that the proposed hybrid LLM-LSTM model is more efficient than other models.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100115"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144861285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2025.100090
Katleho Masita , Ali Hasan , Thokozani Shongwe , Hasan Abu Hilal
{"title":"Deep learning in defects detection of PV modules: A review","authors":"Katleho Masita , Ali Hasan , Thokozani Shongwe , Hasan Abu Hilal","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100090","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100090","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Identifying defects in photovoltaic (PV) modules is essential for ensuring optimal performance and prolonging their operational lifespan. Traditional manual inspection methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and subject to human error, necessitating the development of automated, efficient detection techniques. With the increasing scale of PV power plants, there is a pressing need for automated, accurate, and efficient defect detection methods. This review explores the application of deep learning (DL) methods, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), in the identification and classification of PV module defects. Var- ious imaging techniques, including electroluminescence (EL), thermal, and visible spectrum imaging, are discussed for their roles in data acquisition. The importance of preprocessing steps such as image normalization, registration, and segmentation is emphasized to enhance detection accuracy. The review highlights the effectiveness of DL models like MobileNet, VGG-16, and YOLO, and techniques such as transfer learning and data augmentation in improving model performance. Despite achieving high accuracy, challenges such as the need for large datasets and model generalization across different PV modules and environmental conditions remain. The integration of DL with aerial inspection technologies and advance- ments in image processing holds promise for further enhancing the reliability and efficiency of solar energy systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100090"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143273141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The impact of dust on the efficiency of various photovoltaic panels: An experimental study","authors":"Tarik Aissi , Amal Nefraoui , Khalid Kandoussi , Rabie Elotmani , Mohamed Monkade , Younes Abouelmahjoub","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100106","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100106","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Currently, numerous countries are making substantial investments in solar energy to ensure a sustainable fulfillment of their energy requirements. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of photovoltaic (PV) systems is impacted by a variety of factors, including ambient temperature, module age, and dust accumulation. This study advances both theoretical modeling and practical experimentation by analyzing different PV module technologies under varying dust conditions to evaluate their efficiency. The experimental analysis was conducted on solar installations situated on the rooftops of National School Of Applied Sciences (ENSA) (longitude 8.43°W and latitude 33.25°N) and the Faculty of Science (longitude 8.48°W and latitude 33.22°N), in El-Jadida city, Morocco. The results reveal significant efficiency reductions in dusty modules, with losses ranging from 3 % to 14 %. Dust accumulation presents challenges, causing shadow effects and multiple peaks in power-voltage curves, particularly affecting polycrystalline modules. Furthermore, amorphous, polycrystalline, and monocrystalline silicon modules showed high power degradation rates of 2.18 %/year, 2.05 %/year, and 1.70 %/year, respectively, exceeding standard expectations due to environmental factors and lack of maintenance. These findings underscore the necessity of maintenance plans to ensure the long-term efficiency and viability of PV systems, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and cleaning to maximize energy output and reduce maintenance costs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100106"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143830070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-10-17DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2025.100121
Mattia Manni
{"title":"A hybrid transposition and sky radiance model for urban solar mapping at various latitudes","authors":"Mattia Manni","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100121","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100121","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores the impact of latitude, temporal resolution, and surface orientation on performance variability of solar irradiance model chains for urban solar mapping tools, highlighting the need for accurate model selection — through validation — when significant inter-model differences occur. However, as collecting high-quality observational data for validation is challenging, a hybrid transposition and sky radiance probabilistic model — designed to minimize model-specific biases and enhance the simulation of solar irradiance dynamics — was conceptualized, developed, and experimentally validated. To assess the variability of solar irradiance estimations, 450 model chains were initialized for 21 locations (latitude varies between 35° S to 65° N), 4 temporal resolutions (from one-minute to one-month), and 24 surface orientations. The spread of the global tilted irradiance (<span><math><msub><mrow><mi>E</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>g</mi><mi>t</mi></mrow></msub></math></span>) estimations from various models was quantified using the normalized interquartile range and the coefficient of variation. Afterwards, three probabilistic models were compared: the full transposition, the full sky radiance, and the hybrid transposition and sky radiance probabilistic models. Estimated <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>E</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>g</mi><mi>t</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> was validated using observations from Trondheim, Stuttgart, and Madrid. Results highlighted that model selection is important for latitudes higher than <span><math><mrow><mn>50</mn><mo>°</mo></mrow></math></span> N, time resolutions higher than one-day, and highly tilted surfaces. Further correlation analyses demonstrated that high variability among model outputs is associated to low solar accessibility (Pearson coefficient up to -0.85). Finally, using sky radiance models either as alternatives to or in combination with transposition models in the model chain improved the accuracy in Madrid and Trondheim case studies, while in Stuttgart, model performance resulted slightly reduced.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145361439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Solar Energy AdvancesPub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-08-26DOI: 10.1016/j.seja.2025.100117
Fernando Venâncio Mucomole , Carlos Augusto Santos Silva , Lourenço Lázaro Magaia
{"title":"Digitization of geospatial-temporal mapping of the distribution of solar energy resources in Mozambique over long-term measurements","authors":"Fernando Venâncio Mucomole , Carlos Augusto Santos Silva , Lourenço Lázaro Magaia","doi":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100117","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seja.2025.100117","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The uneven distribution of solar energy across the Earth's surface is due to atmospheric processes, radiation interactions, and geometric factors. To address this, a geospatial-temporal digitalization and mapping of solar energy distribution was conducted using machine learning models (MLMs). The clear-sky index <span><math><mrow><mo>(</mo><msubsup><mi>K</mi><mi>t</mi><mo>*</mo></msubsup><mo>)</mo></mrow></math></span> was used to determine clear-sky energy, and energy analysis was conducted. The global solar energy sample was collected at 11 stations. The results showed a high level of solar energy incidence, with <span><math><msubsup><mi>K</mi><mrow><mi>t</mi></mrow><mo>*</mo></msubsup></math></span> ranging from 0.4 to 0.9. Clear days had a high incident flux, while intermediate days had significant fluctuations. The study concluded that atmospheric transmittance influences clear days due to the high incident flux.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101174,"journal":{"name":"Solar Energy Advances","volume":"5 ","pages":"Article 100117"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145095248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}