Efficient Residential Homes: Parametric Model

Goal and Scope

This model will allow curious homeowners and future engineers to easily input current or planned building specifications to determine the solar energy production abilities of said building, along with the minimum number of panels needed to fulfill average energy demand.

High Performance Criteria and Parameters

We seek to answer the following questions with this model:

  1. What is the maximum solar energy production ability of the building using only roof space?
  2. What is the minimum number of panels required to power a building with the input floor area?

In order to do this, we analyze several key factors of building design, specifically, 1) Building Footprint Dimensions, 2) Center Point Height of the Roof, 3) Roof Pitch or Slope, and 4) Roof Overhang.

Logic and Alternatives

The logic to produce this model is pictured below. Walls were initially created, then re-created to automatically adjust as the roof pitch parameter was changed.

dynamo_logic_snip

 

 

A closer look at the calculations node used for the final results:

dynamo_calcs_snip

 

The alternatives explored are presented in the following table; each type explores a different roof pitch with varying inputs for footprint size, roof height, and overhang. All designs have a single south-facing sloped roof and were found to supply much more energy than necessary – this would still apply if the roof was double sloped.

 

dynamo_alts

 

References

  1. Aggarwall, V. (2024, January 18). How many solar panels do I need for my home in 2023?. EnergySage. https://www.energysage.com/solar/how-many-solar-panels-do-i-need/
  2. David, L. (2023, December 28). How much power does a solar panel produce? (2024). MarketWatch. https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/solar/power-solar-panels-produce/#:~:text=The%20average%20solar%20panel%20has,to%20eight%20kilowatts%20(kW).
  3. Matasci, S. (2023, December 6). Solar panel size and weight: How big are solar panels?. EnergySage. https://www.energysage.com/solar/average-solar-panel-size-weight/
  4. McCabe, L. (2023, November 6). Solar panel direction: What is the best angle?. EnergySage. https://www.energysage.com/solar/solar-panel-performance-orientation-angle/
  5. Soprema Group. (2023, December 19). 5 tips for maximum solar panel efficiency. Soprema United Kingdom. https://www.soprema.co.uk/en/article/sopravoice/5-tips-for-maximum-solar-panel-efficiency#:~:text=ENSURE%20OPTIMAL%20PERFORMANCE,the%20solar%20panels%20are%20attached.
  6. Climate.Top. Sunshine & daylight hours in Berlin, Germany. https://www.climate.top/germany/berlin/sunlight/
  7. DualSun. What is the optimal orientation and tilt angle for solar panels ?. (2023, April 11). https://dualsun.com/en/blog/installation-maintenance/optimal-orientation-tilt-angle-solar-panels/#:~:text=In%20this%20case%2C%20for%20the,low%20tilt%20at%2020%C2%B0!