Evaluation of Building Energy Savings Achievable with an Attached Bioclimatic Greenhouse: Parametric Analysis and Solar Gain Control Techniques

Bioclimatic solar greenhouses are passive solar systems of relevant interest in the building sector, as they allow the reduction of energy needs related to air-conditioning. The aim of this work is to analyze the thermal behavior of a bioclimatic solar greenhouse attached to a residential building. It is equipped with photovoltaic solar blinds (SPBs) to manage solar inputs and produce electricity. Automated control systems are implemented to activate the vents and SPBs. The parametric performance analysis conducted using the dynamic simulation software EnergyPlus allowed the evaluation of the influence of glass type, thermal mass, size, ventilation and location. The results show how the automation of the vents allows the maximization of heat exchange throughout the year, leading to a reduction in consumption even during the summer period. Analyses conducted for some cities in the Mediterranean area show that the maximum energy saving obtained is greater than 13%; in addition, photovoltaic solar shading contributes to the production of more than 1000 kWh/year of electricity.