Numerical Analysis of Performance of Dynamic Second-Skin Façades with Photovoltaic panels integrated in a Residential Building in Southern Italy

Buildings are responsible for about 30% of global final energy consumption and 26% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Enhancing the building envelope is key to improving energy efficiency and sustainability. This study investigates an innovative Second-Skin Façade with integrated PhotoVoltaic (PV) panels (SSF-PV), combining dynamic shading and energy generation. The proposed system includes: (i) a 3D-printed opaque panel without PV panels, (ii) an opaque panel with PV panels, and (iii) a semi-transparent textile shading module. Applied in a retrofit scenario to a residential building in Monterusciello (southern Italy), the SSF-PV’s energy impact was assessed by using the software TRNSYS 18. The analysis considered three PV panels coverage ratios (20%, 30%, and 40%) and three façade orientations (south, east, west). Results showed that the optimal configuration of the dynamic SSF-PV system significantly allows to achieve primary energy savings exceeding 25%, a reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of more than 21%, and a decrease in operating costs of over 28%.