Facade Solar Potential Analysis: Empirical Assessment and Geospatial Visualization for Bahrain’s High-Rise building

Abstract

Bahrain is currently facing significant energy demand due to rapid urbanization and a growing population, with power usage exponentially increasing, leading to increased carbon emissions. In response, the Bahrain government is exploring renewable energy options such as waste-to-energy, wind, and solar power. Bahrain targets solar PV of 400 MW by 2035. Solar energy plays a vital role in addressing environmental concerns and reducing reliance on conventional energy sources. Its integration into urban settings is essential for meeting rising energy demands and achieving sustainable development goals. The research assesses the solar potential of a selected tall building -United Tower in Bahrain using a comprehensive geospatial analysis with ANSYS Fluent and the Ghouard’s Solar Model. Primary data for constructing a virtual 3D model was sourced from Google Earth. The study evaluates the building's design and orientation to determine its solar energy potential and classification as a green building. The key focus is the analysis of solar potential on all surfaces, particularly vertical facades. Solar distribution was examined at five intervals throughout the day to capture the dynamic solar exposure. Empirical modeling based on the Ghouard’s Solar Model was employed to assess the building's response to solar radiation, followed by a comparative study between the empirical results and ANSYS Fluent simulations. During the summer solstice, peak solar potential was observed at mid-day, with ANSYS FLUENT recording 780.25 W/m² and Ghouard’s Model 790.89 W/m². In contrast, the winter solstice showed the lowest potential, at 284.75 W/m² for method-1 and 289.24 W/m² for method-2. Findings indicate that the tall building can harness substantial solar energy, contributing positively to Bahrain's renewable energy objectives.