Architectural Shape and Photovoltaic Integration in Educational Buildings in Concepcion, Chile.

Abstract

Educational buildings are services with a strong social relevance, scattered around the city but with extensive dimensions. In addition, they have increasing energy intensity and limited environmental performance, which could be improved with building-integrated photovoltaic systems, duly oriented to maximize their capacities. This work introduces an evaluation of educational morphologies to determine the building’s active sun capacity and propose improved performance shapes based on the study of facilities in Concepción, Chile. A multifactorial analysis allows identifying the optimal position of photovoltaic panels, verifying variations in energy generation. Then, the solar energy required to meet the consumption of four stories in the elementary-middle school cycle and three in high-school is determined, with surpluses that can enhance comfort, be shared locally or overturned to the grid. The information collected was implemented in a parametric definition to inform early design decision-making of new educational buildings.