Recently, a wide range of novel façade solutions directly utilizing solar energy has been described as Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BiPV). However, there are still barriers (e.g. cells’ overheating) to overcome in order to promote widespread application of BiPV concepts. Therefore PV/PCM systems have been already studied to improve the performance of PV, however their integration in building (BiPV/PCM) is still not adequately investigated. In this regard, the main objective of this paper is to present one of the viable way of investigation a novel combination of BiPV/PCM. This can utilize PV cells cooling principle at behind of the BiPV layer in ventilated façade. The key research methods are based on the experimental and building energy simulation studies. For this purpose, a specific experimental test platform was developed to provide experimental measurements on ongoing long-term full-scale level in Brno, Czechia. Two types of ventilated BiPV façade are tested there with/without PCM layer behind the PV cells. The paper introduces the test platform which is used for evaluation of specific aspects of integrated PCMs in BiPV management and demonstrates the initial thermal response measurements. The influence of PCMs on the real performance of the BiPV façade and effectivity of application of latent thermal energy storage used on reduction of the peak operating temperatures of the PV modules as well as shifting of air temperature inside the façade cavity is analysed. Finally, the extensive measurements provide real performance data that will be used to verify the building energy simulations.

Sunlight has always played an important role in the design of human settlements. Well-designed urban structures, especially in moderate or cold climates, should be assured of direct sunlight in indoor living spaces and also in public spaces. Direct sunlight in a built environment is an important factor for health and well-being, the effective functioning of solar systems, and sustainable construction. However, many problems involved in the exercise of rights of access to sunlight can arise when sunlight is obscured by a tall cityscape. Many states, regions, and cities regulate solar access, but solar rights and landowner rights are in a permanent conflict. The high urban density of many cities with tall skyscrapers accentuates the problem of the availability of sunlight. This paper presents a review of existing regulations and metrics for ensuring the availability of direct sunlight in buildings and of assessment methods that have been adopted in multiple countries and cities. Approaches, methods, and tools of rights of access to sunlight are critically analyzed. The paper also details experiences from former socialist countries where strict long-term strict on direct access to sunlight in flats were applied.

Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is one of the European Union’s key priorities. Yet, the attitude of numerous politicians, of the professional community, and of society in general towards the threat posed by climate change is ambivalent. Arguments are frequently heard about the transition to a low-carbon economy that will be very costly, with increased unemployment, and that in reality climate change may not even be that severe. Added to this, there are human rights and freedoms, and in the case of architects and designers, the right to freedom of creation, to choice of materials, etc. The present article seeks to show that the issue of sustainable architecture and construction is not a whim, but an absolute necessity, and that true freedom lies in recognizing this fact and adapting our actions accordingly. However, even if we have the good intentions to adapt the needed actions, there is still the question of how to react in the right way, without causing myriad unwanted side-effects or being completely counterproductive. As there is not yet any comprehensive account of the history of energy-efficient and sustainable building and architecture, this paper has attempted to give a brief overview of developments in this field from a Central European perspective. Furthermore, the aim was to point out some conceptual mistakes that have been made in the past and that should be avoided.

Comparative research on the influence of daylight and visual environment on melatonin oscillations and the performance of space users was realized in two identical rooms with different glazing at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava. The glazing in the windows had significantly different transmittances of melanopic light. This article presents measured changes in the intensity of photopic and melanopic daylighting values inside the rooms on horizontal and differently oriented vertical plane. Photopic and melanopic illuminances were measured under cloudy and partly clear skies during several months in 2021 and 2022. The article is also partially devoted to the effect of light from a computer monitor on the spectral composition of light on the eye of a person working with a computer. The article also analyzes the problems associated with the evaluation of non-visual aspects of daylighting of the interior spaces of buildings.

This article reports on the development, validation, workflow and implementation of a simplified method for evaluating the non-visual (melanopic) potential of daylight in typical side-lit rooms. The method is suitable for climatic areas with a dominant occurrence of cloudy skies. The non-visual daylight evaluation tool is based on a modified average daylight factor method. A simplified daylighting model improves the calculation of the vertical daylight factor and the passage of daylight through a vertical lighting opening. The proposed calculation method makes it possible to determine the illuminance of a vertical plane in the interior. The method is based on the uniform sky and the external diffuse horizontal illuminance at the location of interest. The outputs of the tool can also be used to quickly estimate visual levels of daylight. The article also proposes a classification of the availability of melanopic daylight in side-lit rooms, which is based on the outputs of the proposed calculation method.