Pixelization approach for façade integrated coloured photovoltaics-with architectural proposals in city context of Trondheim, Norway

Façade integrated photovoltaics (FIPV) is an emerging and essential way to utilize solar energy in built environment. However, there limited architectural study of FIPV, especially addressing the topic colour performance. This developed a theoretical method with pixelated design for integrating opaque coloured on building facades. The city Trondheim Norway was taken as case study. Two main façade prototypes FIPV were derived from Trondheim’s urban context. Typical hues two selected palette, harmony strategies applied guidelines generate NCS combinations FIPV. Then series designs proposed. aesthetic performance proposed tested through online survey among architects, designers laypersons different countries. A 5-level semantic differential scaling employed evaluation. results demonstrated that concept widely supported by participants, while aesthetically preferred considered coherent context majority participants. Besides, production efficiencies calculated. Pixelated facades showed promising efficiency (theoretically about 85–93% black PV facades). overall lightness much stronger influence than hue. presented pixelization design, which balanced including pleasing quality, satisfied integration, high could be achieved.