This paper presents a simulation case that shows the impact on energy consumption of a building applying photovoltaic shading systems. In order to make photovoltaic application more economical, the effect of a photovoltaic facade as a passive cooling system can result in a considerable energy cost reduction, with positive influence on the payback time of the photovoltaic installation. Photovoltaic shading systems can be applied to both refurbishment of old buildings and to new-build, offering attractive and environmentally integrated architectural solutions.

In this paper the effect of insect screens and vent configuration of a tunnel greenhouse cultivated with a tomato crop on airflow, temperature and humidity patterns was numerically analyzed using a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. The numerical model was firstly validated against experimental data, which were carried out in an arch plastic covered greenhouse with continuous side openings. The three components of air velocity and the spatial distribution of air temperature and humidity were measured using a sonic anemometer and fast response sensors respectively.

This paper deals with the use of computer simulations both for design support of a new building including its heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) systems and for optimization of the HVAC control strategy during operation of the completed building. In the early design phases for a new commercial building in Prague computer simulations were carried out in view of possible effects of night cooling ventilation.

Environmental and natural phenomena play a very significant role in laying the region's interrelated cultural, economic and social infrastructures. The buildings in the Iranian desert regions are constructed according to the specific climatic conditions and differ with those built in other climates. Due to lack of access to modern heating and cooling equipment in ancient times the architects were obliged to rely on natural energies to render the inside condition of the buildings pleasant.

Providing optimum cooling and heating of residential buildings of hot and dry regions in Iran so far has been according to the relations of ecology, so that using architectural methods based on climate, local materials and also culture has damaged the environment as little as possible.

The study of thermal environment around buildings is of great importance for residential microclimatic conditions. Temperature of external building surfaces, ground and outside air as well, affect the sense of thermal comfort for a person sitting outside a house. The microclimatic components that can be modified through design and that strongly affect thermal comfort in the open areas close to the buildings is sun radiation and thermal radiation emitted by the surrounding objects.

This paper is aimed to present the analysis made over scale models for a calid climate region on simulated conditions (heliodon, wind tunnel). We analyzed different settings of windows areas proportions, shading devices, and materials at global building designs. The objective of this research was to consider the architecture user as the main element of the lightning design, preserving his quality of life as a member of a society, and offering an integral comfort where he can perform his visual activities.

A considerable potential exists for energy conservation in buildings, by means of reducing the heating loads and especially the cooling loads. This necessity emerges strong, given the fact that internal loads are continually increasing, due to the propagation of electric and electronic appliances. In that sense, insulating materials are the most powerful tool for the designer and the constructor to achieve high energy efficiency in buildings by improving the buildings shell thermal protection and hence control the transmissivity of the shell.

Urban settlements bring about variations of the local meteorological characteristics. One of the most important effects is the increase of the temperature in urban areas in comparison with the neighbouring rural environment. This phenomenon is known as urban heat island. This work presents the results of a research activity carried out by researchers of the CNR LARA (Laboratorio Aereo Ricerche Ambientali Airborne Laboratory for Environmental Research).

This paper considers a double facade for preheating of fresh air, generation of electricity with integrated photovoltaic panels and storage of solar energy in phase-change material - butyl stearate absorbed in gypsum board. A simple transient numerical control volume model is developed for the heat transfer in the PCM. Different facade systems are studied with computer simulations and full scale experiments. Combinations with photovoltaics are then considered. Solar utilization efficiencies of up to 70% are obtained.