Design of Photovoltaic Applications in the Built Environment: A Critical Review

Photovoltaic (PV) technology has made significant progress since the International Energy Agency (IEA) proposed the concept of PV application in the built environment in 1997. This paper reviews PV applications in the built environment across three phases: pre-design, design, and post-design. A PRISMA-informed search was conducted in Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus, covering publications from January 2005 to August 2026. After screening, 211 publications were included in the review, and 238 references were cited in total, including 27 pre-2005 background sources. In the pre-design phase, the scopes and impacts of PV application in the built environment are reviewed. In the design phase, design strategies are examined in terms of PV module selection, mounting configuration, array layout, and geometric design parameters. In the post-design phase, power potential, economic potential, aesthetic environment, and safety reporting are reviewed. Based on these findings, a consultative and iterative design workflow is proposed. It integrates stakeholder priorities, multi-scale spatial data, climate-specific economic parameters, and construct-specific aesthetic and social evaluation. However, the workflow is conceptual and has not yet been empirically validated. Its potential to improve public acceptance and facilitate implementation therefore requires future testing in real projects. The review provides a structured reference for urban planners, architects, and developers, while highlighting the need for empirical validation before large-scale application.