Green roofs and facades with integrated photovoltaic system for zero energy eco-friendly building – A review

The greening of urban environments plays a crucial role in mitigating the adverse effects of urbanization, such as air pollution and the urban heat island effect, and can provide numerous benefits to residents, including opportunities for leisure and improved mental health. On the other hand, there is a great demand to utilize renewable energy systems in cities to mitigate greenhouse gas emission. Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology is one of the most promising solutions to harvest clean electricity on-site and support the zero carbon transition of cities. The combination of BIPV and green spaces in urban environments presents a mutually advantageous scenario, providing multiple benefits and optimized land usage. However, despite its promising potential, there is a dearth of scientific research systematically examining this integrated strategy. This paper investigated three key aspects related to the integration of BIPV systems and greenery in urban environments. Specifically, the paper aimed to explore: 1) the overall design considerations and performance impacts of integrated BIPV systems and greenery; 2) the challenges involved in integrating these two systems; and 3) the prospects of this integrated approach. The methodology of this paper involved a comprehensive review and analysis of the integration of BIPV systems and greenery in urban environments. This examination was conducted from various perspectives, including shading, irrigation, energy performance, aesthetics, materials, and installation. The principal findings of this research are twofold: firstly, the integration of BIPV and greening can yield mutually beneficial outcomes; and secondly, the cooling effect of greening on photovoltaic systems primarily hinges on the distance between the two components and the surrounding microclimate. These research findings underscore the potential of coupling BIPV systems with greening, positioning it as a sustainable and advantageous approach for future building design and development.