Ying Huang’s research while affiliated with Southeast University and other places

This paper presents the energy performance evaluation of a marketable net-zero-energy house (NZEH): Solark I at Solar Decathlon China 2013. The assessment methodologies are based on EnergyPlus simulations and measured data. The paper also discusses the reasons for the differences between the results of the simulations and the measurements, analyzes the investment cost, summarizes the lessons learned from the competition, and presents the potential for replicability and transposition from Solark I to implementation in a practical NZEH. The conclusions are that Solark I's investment cost is reasonable, its systems for building-integrated photovoltaics, hot water and heating, and ventilation and air conditioning demonstrated excellent performance based on the results of the energy performance evaluations using EnergyPlus simulations and measured data. Thus, Solark I is a marketable NZEH.

The Solark I Prototype was Southeast University's proposal for Solar Decathlon China 2013. This paper presents the prototype's passive strategies, active systems and performance results. The limitations, future perspectives and potential for replicability and transposition of Solark I are also discussed. Through a whole-building design process, Solark I effectively integrates all aspects of weather data analysis, building design, building envelope design, photovoltaic system design, solar hot water system design and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system design to minimize energy consumption and environmental impacts. Solark I achieved an excellent balance between passive strategies and highly efficient active systems. These design decisions help Solark I to maintain its hydrothermal comfort and perform all regular tasks with minimum energy consumption. This low energy consumption allows Solark I to obtain a positive energy balance both in annual energy simulations and on-site during the monitored period.

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) are one of the best ways to harness solar power, which is the most abundant, inexhaustible and clean of all the available energy resources. This paper discusses issues concerning BIPV in architectural design in China, including how to choose between BIPV and building-attached photovoltaics (BAPV), whether it is necessary for photovoltaic components to last as long as buildings and how to design BIPV structures. The paper shows that we should consider the function, cost, technology and aesthetics of BIPV, rather than solely the high integrations. According to developments in technology and markets, photovoltaic structures and design should be focused on the maintenance and replacement of photovoltaic cell modules, rather than simply prolonging their lives. To solve problems associated with the existing photovoltaic structures in China, we design a building photovoltaic structure that allows convenient maintenance and replacement of photovoltaic components.Highlights► BIPV are one of the best ways to harness solar power. ► We should choose the appearance of BIPV according to actual needs. ► It is not necessary for photovoltaic components to last as long as buildings. ► The ease of maintaining and replacing photovoltaic components should be emphasized. ► Our novel BIPV structural comes from the principle of dry batteries, self-locking and the integration of electrical circuits and steel support systems.