Modular Cladding System Design for Active Radiative Cooling in Buildings
摘要
The growth in energy consumption for cooling buildings and industrial processes drives the search for innovative and sustainable solutions. Passive cooling systems for buildings through radiation and convection panels have been an area of research in recent decades. However, they have not yet led to a significant shift in the conventional systems used in the market, primarily due to their low performance. This performance is influenced by environmental factors such as solar radiation. Nevertheless, recent studies have shown the ability to dissipate heat even under direct solar radiation, thanks to the use of spectrally selective coatings. Unlike conventional cooling methods that rely on energy-intensive refrigeration cycles, radiative cooling, in essence, operates passively, without the need for external power. This passive operation makes radiative cooling particularly attractive for applications in remote or off-grid locations, where access to reliable electricity is limited. This study presents the initial experimental advancements carried out by a multidisciplinary team in the development of spectrally selective coatings, as well as in the design of facade modules specifically intended for use in active radiation systems. The results show a significant improvement in the cooling capacity of the surfaces in comparison to the previous studies. Additionally, the temperature measurements carried out on the coated surfaces under simulated solar light, show relevant differences against uncoated aluminum, reaching 8 °C gap in temperature reduction. This outcome provides a fundamental foundation for future research, considering facade integration, performance, and manufacturing feasibility.