Experimental Investigation of Rooftop Solar PV Deployment for Passive Building Cooling and Sustainable Electricity Generation

This study demonstrates the dual functionality of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems as both renewable energy generators and passive thermal-shielding elements. The key contribution is the experimental quantification of rooftop cooling using thermal imaging across three different PV installation heights, showing an average 25.97 °C (46.14%) reduction in rooftop surface temperature. The findings provide practical evidence that strategic PV deployment can simultaneously reduce building heat gain, potentially lower cooling demand, and support clean energy generation, offering a practical approach for energy-efficient and climate-resilient urban buildings.