Thermal Dynamics of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics: A Computational Study on Heat Transfer and Urban Cooling Potential

With the rising demand for energy-efficient urban infrastructure, a precise understanding of the thermal physics underlying solar photovoltaic (PV) integration into building systems is essential. This study focuses on the thermal effects of three types of solar PV technologies: crystalline silicon panels, thin-film materials, and bifacial modules, by examining their impact on direct solar heat gain and associated thermal dynamics. We assess how these heat transfer processes are involved, including energy absorption, radiative heat dissipation, and the resultant modifications in thermal equilibrium at PV-integrated surfaces. The research employs computational modeling to analyze the radiative and convective interactions between PV systems and adjacent building surfaces, with a specific analysis of how these configurations alter the local temperature profiles and heat flux between rooftops and the atmosphere. Key physical parameters, such as albedo, spectral and angular thermal emissivity, and radiative cooling contributions of PV materials, are quantitatively assessed. Results demonstrate that PV installations can lower surface temperatures on rooftops, leading to a measurable reduction in cooling demands for buildings. This work underscores the dual role of PV technology in renewable energy generation and thermal regulation, offering insights that contribute to the physics of sustainable urban design in mitigating urban heat island effects.