Active Solar Thermal Facades (ASTFs): from concept, application to research questions

The aim of the paper is to report a comprehensive review into a recently emerging building integrated solar thermal technology, namely, Active Solar Thermal Facades (ASTFs), in terms of concept, classification, standard, performance evaluation, application, as well as research questions. This involves the combined effort of literature review, analysis, extraction, integration, critics, prediction and conclusion. It is indicated that the ASTFs are sort of building envelope elements incorporating the solar collecting devices, thus enabling the dual functions, e.g., space shielding and solar energy collection, to be performed. Based on the function of the building envelopes, the ASTF systems can be generally classified as wall-, window-, balcony-and roof-based types; while the ASTFs could also be classified by the thermal collection typologies, transparency, application, and heat-transfer medium. Currently, existing building and solar collector standards are brought together to evaluate the performance of the ASTFs. The research questions relating to the ASTFs are numerous, but the major points lie in: (1) whole structure and individual components layout, sizing and optimisation; (2) theoretical analysis; (3) experimental measurement; and (4) energy saving, economic and environmental performance assessment. Based on the analysis of the identified research questions, achievements made on each question, and outstanding problems remaining with the ASTFs, further development opportunities on this topic are suggested: (1) development of an integrated database/software enabling both architecture design and engineering performance simulation; (2) real-time measurement of the ASTFs integrated buildings on a long-term scheme; (3) economic and environmental performance assessment and social acceptance analysis; (4) dissemination, marketing and exploitation strategies study. This study helps in identifying the current status, potential problems in existence, future directions in research, development and practical application of the ASTFs technologies in buildings. It will also promote development of renewable energy technology and thus contribute to achieving the UK and international targets in energy saving, renewable energy utilization, and carbon emission reduction in building sector.