Visualisation of photovoltaic clad buildings

This paper describes a study carried out to investigate the capabilities of computer aided design software for the visualisation of building elevations and detail, with focus on the representation of photovoltaic cells in facade architecture. The development of photovoltaic (PV) technology, converting energy from sunlight into electricity, has resulted in the emergence of PV as a building material. This has generated much debate on the aesthetic implications of PV integrated buildings. PV introduces a particularly complex set of requirements not present in traditional cladding materials. As well as the physical characteristics of the material, there is a need to consider factors such as orientation to the sun, and shadows cast by neighbouring buildings. Architects, engineers, developers, clients and the general public all need to be able to visualise proposed designs, either of new or refurbished buildings. This study investigates both the process and end results of computer visualisation in the context of photovoltaic clad buildings.