The Equitable Building in New York, for example, has a window-to-wall ratio of 25%. Modern office buildings stand out for their looming glass facades, a counterpoint to the days when they were constructed of concrete and single-pane windows. But by combining PV with high thermal performance window technologies, new buildings can become a critical tool in combatting climate change, the researchers noted. Researchers at NREL calculated the use of PV windows in Denver could eliminate 2 million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions annually / PHOTO: Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL Window-to-wall ratios of 70%+īuildings account for more than a third of the world’s energy consumption and almost as much of global carbon dioxide emissions. The other co-authors, all from NREL, are Janghyun Kim, Tom Daligault, Bryan Rosales, Chaiwat Engtrakul, and Robert Tenent. To conduct the analysis, the brothers developed a software called PVwindow that allows users to model the design of PV windows for building simulations. Wheeler is co-author of the new paper, “ Photovoltaic windows cut energy use and CO 2 emissions by 40% in highly glazed buildings,” which he wrote with his twin brother, Vincent, an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin–Stout. “We found that there are other ways to build high-efficiency buildings.” Cutting energy use and CO 2 emissions by 40%+ “There are preconceived notions of what an energy-efficient building looks like, and it usually is not highly glazed, and it probably isn’t very tall,” said Lance Wheeler, a scientist at NREL who specialises in integrating PV technology into windows. Their findings, published in the journal One Earth, outline building design rules that can yield a structure with net-zero or even net-positive energy consumption. Skyscrapers dominate city skylines, but these massive glass-walled structures can be made more energy efficient through the addition of thermally efficient photovoltaic (PV) windows, according to an analysis by researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). With the addition of standard PV panels on the outside of the building, some skyscrapers can reach net zero. In fact, the more glass, the more savings, according to the models. The results showed that PV windows can cut energy use and CO2 emissions by 40% and more. Wayne Hicks at NREL describes research that models the effect of different PV window technologies on skyscrapers in eight different climates. But modern t hermally efficient photovoltaic windows not only provide insulation but turn the absorbed light into power. Modern skyscrapers can have window-to-wall ratios of 70%+. Highly glazed skyscrapers and buildings may look beautiful and let in plenty of light, but waste a lot of energy due to the extra cooling needed in summer and heating in winter. Around a third of the world’s energy consumption and CO2 emissions come from buildings.
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