Multi-Objective Optimization of a Folding Photovoltaic-Integrated Light Shelf Using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III for Enhanced Daylighting and Energy Savings in Office Buildings

Cheraghzad, Tanin; Zamani, Zahra; Hakimazari, Mohammad; Norouzi, Masoud; Karimi, Alireza

doi:10.3390/buildings15162958

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Multi-Objective Optimization of a Folding Photovoltaic-Integrated Light Shelf Using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III for Enhanced Daylighting and Energy Savings in Office Buildings

by

Tanin Cheraghzad

¹

,

Zahra Zamani

^2,*

,

Mohammad Hakimazari

³

,

Masoud Norouzi

^4,5

and

Alireza Karimi

^6,*

¹

Faculty of Architecture, University of Tehran, Tehran 1415564583, Iran

²

Department of Architectural Technology, School of Architecture, College of Fine Arts, University of Tehran, Tehran 1136813518, Iran

³

Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, University of Art, Tehran 141556455, Iran

⁴

Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Paisos Catalans, 26, 43007 Tarragona, Spain

⁵

Programa de Pós Graduação em Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (PEA/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil

⁶

Institute of Building Materials, Building Physics, Building Technology and Design (IBBTE), University of Stuttgart, 70174 Stuttgart, Germany

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Buildings 2025, 15(16), 2958; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162958

Submission received: 26 July 2025 / Revised: 15 August 2025 / Accepted: 18 August 2025 / Published: 20 August 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Building Lighting and Integrated Lighting Design Toward High Comfort and Low Carbon)

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Abstract

This study developed a novel folding light shelf system that integrates reflectors, photovoltaic (PV) modules, and adaptive louvers that adjust based on solar altitude, aiming to improve daylight distribution, minimize glare, and reduce energy consumption in office buildings. The research employed an advanced optimization approach, utilizing Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III (NSGA-III) and Latin Hypercube Sampling, a highly effective method suitable for managing complex multi-objective scenarios involving numerous variables, to efficiently identify high-performance configurations with increased precision. Key design variables across all three components of the system included angle, width, distance, and the number of folds in the light shelf, along with the number of louvers. The proposed method successfully integrates PV technology into light shelves without compromising their functionality, enabling both daylight control and energy generation. The optimization results demonstrate that the system achieved up to a 15% improvement in useful daylight illuminance (UDI) and a 16% reduction in cooling energy consumption. Furthermore, the PV modules generated 509.5 kWh/year, ensuring improved efficiency and sustainability in building performance.

Keywords: light shelf; multi-objective optimization; energy saving; daylighting

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MDPI and ACS Style

Cheraghzad, T.; Zamani, Z.; Hakimazari, M.; Norouzi, M.; Karimi, A. Multi-Objective Optimization of a Folding Photovoltaic-Integrated Light Shelf Using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III for Enhanced Daylighting and Energy Savings in Office Buildings. Buildings 2025, 15, 2958. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162958

AMA Style

Cheraghzad T, Zamani Z, Hakimazari M, Norouzi M, Karimi A. Multi-Objective Optimization of a Folding Photovoltaic-Integrated Light Shelf Using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III for Enhanced Daylighting and Energy Savings in Office Buildings. Buildings. 2025; 15(16):2958. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162958

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cheraghzad, Tanin, Zahra Zamani, Mohammad Hakimazari, Masoud Norouzi, and Alireza Karimi. 2025. "Multi-Objective Optimization of a Folding Photovoltaic-Integrated Light Shelf Using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III for Enhanced Daylighting and Energy Savings in Office Buildings" Buildings 15, no. 16: 2958. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162958

APA Style

Cheraghzad, T., Zamani, Z., Hakimazari, M., Norouzi, M., & Karimi, A. (2025). Multi-Objective Optimization of a Folding Photovoltaic-Integrated Light Shelf Using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III for Enhanced Daylighting and Energy Savings in Office Buildings. Buildings, 15(16), 2958. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15162958

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

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Multi-Objective Optimization of a Folding Photovoltaic-Integrated Light Shelf Using Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III for Enhanced Daylighting and Energy Savings in Office Buildings

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