Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is technology that can significantly increase the share of renewable energy in final energy supply and are one of essential technologies for the nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB), new build and refurbished. In the article (a) an experimental semitransparent BIPV glazed façade structure with 60% of PV cell coverage is shown; (b) energy efficiency indicators were developed based on identified impact parameters using experimental data; and (c) multi-parametric models of electricity generation, preheating of air for space ventilation, and dynamic thermal insulation features that enable prediction of solar energy utilization in different climate conditions are shown. The modeled efficiency of electricity production of BIPV was in the range between 8% and 9.5% at daily solar radiation above 1500 Wh/day, while low impact of outdoor air temperature and ventilation air flow rate on PV cell cooling was noticed. Between 35% and 75% of daily solar radiation can be utilized by preheating the air for space ventilation, and 4.5% to 7.5% of daily solar radiation can be utilized in the form of heat gains through opaque envelope walls.

The planning process of nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB), as defined in Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), requires that designers check their solutions at all stages of planning. In the initial design phase, methods and tools for which only basic design knowledge of the modelling of energy efficiency indicators is required are often sufficient. With the introduction of fast modelling techniques, designers’ work can be simplified. A method and software for the fast modelling of nZEB energy efficiency indicators of buildings constructed with advanced multi-layer glass and building integrated photovoltaics facade (BIPV) structures are presented. The computer tool for fast modelling combines (i) upgraded national certificated software for energy performance of buildings (EPB) evaluation, which is used for performing auto-repeating numerical calculations based on the design of experiments (DOE) and (ii) software for the determination of multiple linear regression models and the presentation of results. The case studies made for different buildings and climate conditions show the variety of options offered by the developed fast modelling approach. It can be seen that buildings with a large proportion of advanced glassed facade and even all-glass buildings can fulfil nZEB requirements via the on-site production of electricity with BIPV facade structures.

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is associated with impacts on pupils’ health and learning performance. We aimed to identify the factors that affect IAQ in primary schools. The following objectives were set: (a) to develop a questionnaire to assess the prevalence of factors in primary schools, (b) to conduct content validity of the questionnaire, and (c) to assess the prevalence of factors that affect the IAQ in Slovenian primary schools. Based on the systematic literature review, we developed a new questionnaire to identify factors that affect the IAQ in primary schools and conducted its validation. The questionnaires were sent to all 454 Slovenian primary schools; the response rate was 78.19%. The results show that the most important outdoor factors were the school’s micro location and the distance from potential sources of pollution, particularly traffic. Among the indoor factors, we did not detect a pronounced dominating factor. Our study shows that the spatial location of schools is key to addressing the problem of IAQ in schools.