Solar façades: A review

Building facades are key elements for indoor illumination, indoor thermal environments, and solar energy utilization and control. In addition to the functions of building facades (rooftops are included in the overall structure of a building facade), solar facades are designed to specifically reject or absorb and reutilize solar heat. The present study reviews the important contents of studies on solar facades that have been published after 2010. Based on the classification of solid and void components of building facades, the solar facades reviewed in this article are divided into two major types: opaque solar facades and transparent or semi-transparent (translucent) facades. In terms of content, we emphasize the introduction of solar facade structures. We hope that this review can be utilized as a reference for academic researchers and will provide architects and related engineering designers with inspiration for building facades or thermal systems. •A review of solar facade studies is presented, with an emphasis on novel and practice concepts.•Opaque and transparent or semi-transparent facades are discussed separately.•Facade structures are highlighted for building facade and thermal system designs.•Related research gaps are also identified.