A systematic design method for green buildings based on the combined system of flexible solar cells and reactors on buildings

Reactors on buildings (RB) can achieve carbon sequestration through photoelectrocatalytic reaction to effectively control the carbon emission of buildings, while flexible solar cells (FSCs) can realize self-sufficiency in energy consumption of buildings without affecting their exteriors. It is supposed that they can be assembled together on building surface to achieve the ultra-low energy consumption and ultra-low carbon emission of buildings. Based on principles in solid geometry, calculation method for solar radiation on random spatial surface is proposed, and the programming model for the assembly of RB and FSCs on building surface targeted by environmental effect and economic benefit is established based on their working characteristics. Then a comprehensive programming model considering both environmental effect and economic benefit is established. Subsequently, main parameters in comprehensive programming model are analyzed through virtual experiment conducted on computers with input data available for Guangzhou, China, and the approximate equation of the curve of assembly ratio with weight as well as the concept of function characterization of buildings are proposed. Meanwhile, the equation that can be used to predict the assembly ratio of FSCs based on photoelectrocatalytic efficiency is established. All these studies provide a systematic method for the combined application of RB and FSCs in buildings. •Reactors on buildings (RB) developed in previous study and flexible solar cells (FSCs) are reviewed.•A systematic design method for green buildings based on the combined system of RB and FSCs is established.