Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Optimal transmittance varies by city: Xi'an 30%, Lanzhou 40%, Yinchuan 50%, Xining 55%, Urumqi 60%. This directly determines the balance between daylighting, heating, and power generation, with higher transmittance favoring high heating-load regions. • • Energy-saving rates relative to a conventional reference room are 18.4% (Xi'an), 21.9% (Lanzhou), 22.7% (Yinchuan), 21.4% (Xining), and 16.9% (Urumqi). These values represent the net effect of reduced heating and lighting loads minus increased cooling loads, demonstrating the technology's viability in cold, sunny climates. • • The photovoltaic generation can fully offset interior lighting energy consumption in resource-rich areas, as evidenced by the compensation effect observed in the simulations. This reduces net grid demand and enhances overall building energy autonomy. • • In regions with higher heating loads, selecting higher-transmittance components is more beneficial for energy savings, as the additional solar gains reduce heating demand despite potential cooling penalties. This provides a design rule for cold climates with long heating seasons.
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Abstract
This study develops a comprehensive energy consumption numerical model for an optoelectronic glass Trombe wall using EnergyPlus, integrating coupled thermal, daylighting, and electrical power generation effects on building energy performance. Field experiments validated the model's predictive accuracy for heat transfer, daylighting, and power generation modules. The validated model was then applied to analyze comprehensive energy consumption and energy-saving potential across five representative cities in Northwest China using local meteorological data. A reference room with conventional construction was established to quantify the optimal energy-saving performance of the optoelectronic glass Trombe wall. Results indicate that the optimal transmittance values for Xi'an, Lanzhou, Yinchuan, Xining, and Urumqi are 30%, 40%, 50%, 55%, and 60%, respectively. Compared with the reference room, the optimal energy-saving rates achieved by the optoelectronic glass Trombe wall are 18.4%, 21.9%, 22.7%, 21.4%, and 16.9% for these cities. These findings provide a reference for the application of building-integrated photovoltaic technology in Northwest China and support the advancement of building energy efficiency.
1. Introduction
Conventional Trombe walls effectively capture solar radiation to reduce heating demand in winter but suffer from excessive heat loss and summer overheating, which increases cooling loads. These limitations have hindered their widespread adoption in regions with large diurnal temperature swings and prolonged cold seasons, such as Northwest China. The integration of amorphous silicon photovoltaic glass into Trombe walls offers a dual benefit: power generation and controlled daylighting, while maintaining thermal collection. However, the coupled interactions among transmittance, power output, and thermal performance have not been systematically optimized for the diverse climatic conditions of Northwest China.
This study addresses the bottleneck by developing and validating a comprehensive EnergyPlus model that simulates the coupled thermal, daylighting, and electrical behavior of an optoelectronic glass Trombe wall. Field experiments confirmed the model's accuracy. The model was then used to determine the optimal transmittance for five representative cities—Xi'an, Lanzhou, Yinchuan, Xining, and Urumqi—and to quantify the energy-saving rates relative to a conventional room. The results provide concrete design guidelines for building-integrated photovoltaic applications in cold, solar-rich regions, enabling informed selection of transmittance values to maximize net energy benefits.
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JIANG Jing, SUN Yiming, GUO Wenyu, LIU Fei (2026). Comprehensive Energy Consumption Performance of Optoelectronic Glass Trombe Walls in Northwest China. Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica. https://doi.org/10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.202608_9672
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal transmittance for the optoelectronic glass Trombe wall in each of the five cities studied?
The optimal transmittance values are 30% for Xi'an, 40% for Lanzhou, 50% for Yinchuan, 55% for Xining, and 60% for Urumqi. These values were determined by minimizing comprehensive energy consumption, balancing heating, cooling, and lighting loads with photovoltaic generation.
How does the energy-saving rate of the optoelectronic glass Trombe wall compare to a conventional room?
Compared to a conventional room, the optimal energy-saving rates are 18.4% in Xi'an, 21.9% in Lanzhou, 22.7% in Yinchuan, 21.4% in Xining, and 16.9% in Urumqi. These rates reflect the net reduction in total building energy consumption, accounting for heating, cooling, lighting, and equipment loads.
Can the photovoltaic generation fully offset lighting energy consumption?
Yes, in solar resource-rich areas, the photovoltaic generation from the amorphous silicon glass can fully compensate for interior lighting energy consumption. This was observed in the simulations, indicating potential for net-zero lighting energy in suitable locations.
What is the recommended design strategy for cold regions with high heating loads?
In regions with high heating loads and long heating seasons, such as Northwest China, selecting higher-transmittance photovoltaic glass is more beneficial for energy savings. Higher transmittance allows more solar radiation for passive heating, reducing heating demand, despite a slight increase in cooling load during summer.
What are the key limitations of the study?
The study relies on numerical simulations validated by field experiments, but the model may not capture all real-world complexities such as dust accumulation, aging of photovoltaic glass, or occupant behavior variations. The optimal transmittance values are specific to the five cities studied and may require adjustment for other locations with different climatic conditions.
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