Literature review of solar control smart building glazing: Technologies, performance, and research insights

Abstract

Conventional glazing, typically exhibits poor performance characterized by high thermal losses, overheating and potential glare, thereby compromising both building energy efficiency and occupants’ comfort. In response, the scientific community has been actively engaged in researching and developing innovative glazing solutions capable to adapt to environmental conditions and even produce energy, such as smart glazing. This paper provides a comprehensive literature review of the performance of solar control smart glazing solutions installed on building façades. First, the smart glazing technologies covered in this review are introduced: photochromic, thermochromic, phase change, gasochromic, electrochromic, suspended particles and liquid crystals. Subsequently, research studies on these technologies are carefully analyzed to identify the type of glazing, climate and energy and comfort performance outcomes. The studies covered include tropical, arid, temperate and continental climates. The findings highlight that electrochromic and thermochromic glazing solutions are the most extensively studied, achieving notable energy savings and improvement of indoor comfort. Photochromic, suspended particles and liquid crystals glazing increase visual comfort, while studies on gasochromic glazing are scarce, though they report energy savings. Finally, this review identifies research gaps and emphasizes the need for future studies that holistically assess the energy, comfort, economic and environmental aspects of these glazing solutions under different climates.