Dynamic Visualization of Optical and Energy Yield Co-Simulation of New Generation BIPV Envelope in Early Design Phase Using Custom Ray Tracing Algorithm in Python

With the aim of improving and supporting design process of BIPV, new tools and methodology is developed to co-simulate both electricity yield and daylighting performance of complex 2nd and 3rd generation BIPV envelope. Methodology is based on opto-electrical simulation using custom non-sequential ray tracing algorithm written in Python under the Rhinoceros 3D platform to analyse optical geometric scattering and light trapping capabilities of macro-structured BIPV system and absorption of PV cells. Algorithm defines set of rules for light photon propagation through different media calculating light and energy distribution for every bounce. This paper explains how this methodology is used in design workflow where architect and designers have an opportunity to obtain a direct feedback and dynamic visualization of performances of new generation BIPV systems and to explore innovative active-passive solar envelope concepts by finding balance of transparency, shading, daylighting and energy yield during Early Design Phase (EDP). Furthermore, it is shown how having interactive simulation representation of performances during EDP can improve overall performance of design solutions by using parametric meta-model to allow creation of multi-dimensional design search space and support multi-criteria decision-making in EDP in order to exploit best of both designer creativity and computation approach.