Publication detail

Life Cycle Assessment of Solar Façade Concepts Based on Transparent Insulation Materials

STRUHALA, K. ČEKON, M. SLÁVIK, R.

Original Title

Life Cycle Assessment of Solar Façade Concepts Based on Transparent Insulation Materials

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

Contemporary architects and the construction industry are trying to cope with increasing requirements concerning energy efficiency and environmental impact. One of the available options is the active utilization of energy gains from the environment, specifically solar energy gains. These gains can be utilized by, for example, solar walls and facades. The solar façade concept has been under development for more than a century. However, it hasn’t achieved widespread use for various reasons. Rather recently the concept was enhanced by the application of transparent insulation materials that have the potential to increase the efficiency of such façades. The presented study evaluates the environmental efficiency of 10 solar façade assemblies in the mild climate of the Czech Republic, Central Europe. The evaluated façade assemblies combine the principles of a solar wall with transparent insulation based on honeycomb and polycarbonate panels. The study applies Life-Cycle Assessment methodology to the calculation of environmental impacts related to the life cycle of the evaluated assemblies. The results indicate that even though there are several limiting factors, façade assemblies with transparent insulation have lower environmental impacts compared to a reference assembly with standard thermal insulation. The highest achieved difference is approx. 84% (in favour of the assembly with transparent insulation) during a modelled 50-year façade assembly service life.

Keywords

Building; Environmental Impacts; Façade; Life-Cycle Assessment; Transparent Insulation; Low-Emissivity Coating

Authors

STRUHALA, K.; ČEKON, M.; SLÁVIK, R.

Released

15. 11. 2018

Publisher

MDPI

Location

Basel, Switzerland

ISBN

2071-1050

Periodical

Sustainability

Year of study

10

Number

11

State

Swiss Confederation

Pages from

1

Pages to

16

Pages count

16

URL

https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/11/4212

Full text in the Digital Library

http://hdl.handle.net/11012/137072

BibTex

@article{BUT151169,
  author="Karel {Struhala} and Miroslav {Čekon} and Richard {Slávik}",
  title="Life Cycle Assessment of Solar Façade Concepts Based on Transparent Insulation Materials",
  journal="Sustainability",
  year="2018",
  volume="10",
  number="11",
  pages="1--16",
  doi="10.3390/su10114212",
  issn="2071-1050",
  url="https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/11/4212"
}