State-of-the-Art of Adaptive BIPV Designs: A Systematic Review of Algorithmic Control and the Energy–Comfort Nexus

Climate change compels the built environment to adopt adaptive Building-Integrated PhotoVoltaic (BIPV) designs balancing energy yields with indoor environmental quality. However, current dynamic facades suffer from algorithmic opacity and an operational bias prioritising generation over human comfort. This study systematically reviews the energy–comfort nexus within intelligent building skins. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched nine databases (including Scopus and Web of Science) for empirical studies (2016–early 2026) evaluating dynamic BIPV control. Methodological quality and bias risk were assessed via a rigorous framework evaluating control transparency and simulation validity. From 2423 initial records, 92 high-quality studies were selected and structured into six adaptive BIPV design clusters (e.g., Double-Skin Facades, kinetic shading, semi-transparent glazing). The synthesis reveals a polarisation between thermo-mechanical integration and computational–geometric optimisation. An energy-centric bias persists. Power generation dominates over 92% of research, whereas glare evaluation remains below 20%. Additionally, nearly 60% of studies fail to explicitly define their control parameters. Current evidence limitations include a heavy reliance on idealised 1D simulations, a strong Northern Hemisphere geographical concentration, and a scarcity of robust data on dynamic bifacial systems. Bridging the gap between PV hardware and intelligent control, this study delivers a comprehensive theoretical framework and an actionable roadmap.