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Sustainability
Volume 17
Issue 21
10.3390/su17219665
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Article

Synergistic Optimization of Building Energy Use and PV Power Generation: Quantifying the Role of Urban Block Typology and PV Shading Devices

by
Shen Xu
2,3,
Junhao Hou
2,
Mengju Xie
1,*,
Yichen Dong
2,
Chen Yang
1,
Huan Huang
4,
Jingze Liao
2 and
Wei Luo
2
1
Department of Environmental Design, School of Fine Arts, South-Central Minzu University, Wuhan 430074, China
2
School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
3
Hubei New Technology Research Centre for Urbanization, Wuhan 430074, China
4
Wuhan Planning and Design Institute, Wuhan 430014, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9665; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219665 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 16 September 2025 / Revised: 14 October 2025 / Accepted: 20 October 2025 / Published: 30 October 2025
Versions Notes

Abstract

In high-density cities, integrating photovoltaic shading devices (PVSDs) with urban block typology optimization is crucial for low-carbon development, yet the understanding of their synergistic effects remains limited. This study develops a novel multi-scale evaluation framework that bridges block-building hierarchies to address this research gap. Through parametric modeling, this study coupled 27 representative office block morphologies with 18 PVSDs in Wuhan, a prototype city for China’s hot-summer–cold-winter climate zone, systematically generating 486 scenarios for comprehensive evaluation. Using Rhino–Grasshopper (7.0) with Ladybug (1.7), Honeybee (1.6), and EnergyPlus (9.4), we then examined urban block typology-PVSDs interactions across these scenarios. Our findings demonstrate that coordinated block typology and PVSD variables serve as critical determinants of energy-performance synergy. High-Rise Hybrid blocks emerge as the superior configuration for integrated performance, achieving maximal passive energy savings, optimal renewable energy utilization, and substantial carbon reduction. PVSDs that are 0.4 m in width, with specific distance-to-width ratios, yield the highest integrated benefits. This work advances sustainable urban design by establishing a morphology–energy nexus framework, providing architects and urban planners with actionable strategies for climate-responsive design in similar regions, with direct implications for maximizing energy–PV synergy through morphology-aware design approaches.
Keywords: urban block typology; photovoltaic shading devices (PVSDs); office building; energy use intensity (EUI); PV power generation urban block typology; photovoltaic shading devices (PVSDs); office building; energy use intensity (EUI); PV power generation

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Xu, S.; Hou, J.; Xie, M.; Dong, Y.; Yang, C.; Huang, H.; Liao, J.; Luo, W. Synergistic Optimization of Building Energy Use and PV Power Generation: Quantifying the Role of Urban Block Typology and PV Shading Devices. Sustainability 2025, 17, 9665. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219665

AMA Style

Xu S, Hou J, Xie M, Dong Y, Yang C, Huang H, Liao J, Luo W. Synergistic Optimization of Building Energy Use and PV Power Generation: Quantifying the Role of Urban Block Typology and PV Shading Devices. Sustainability. 2025; 17(21):9665. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219665

Chicago/Turabian Style

Xu, Shen, Junhao Hou, Mengju Xie, Yichen Dong, Chen Yang, Huan Huang, Jingze Liao, and Wei Luo. 2025. "Synergistic Optimization of Building Energy Use and PV Power Generation: Quantifying the Role of Urban Block Typology and PV Shading Devices" Sustainability 17, no. 21: 9665. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219665

APA Style

Xu, S., Hou, J., Xie, M., Dong, Y., Yang, C., Huang, H., Liao, J., & Luo, W. (2025). Synergistic Optimization of Building Energy Use and PV Power Generation: Quantifying the Role of Urban Block Typology and PV Shading Devices. Sustainability, 17(21), 9665. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219665

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