The impetus for improved window technologies that marry energy efficiency with clean energy production in buildings in cold climates has created the opportunity to evaluate four different semi-transparent photovoltaic windows containing solar cells in three different materials (crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, and perovskite). The energy consumption, indoor thermal comfort, daylight use, and power generation were studied using simulation models for all four configurations. The assessment of the models indicated that the arrangement with amorphous silicon solar cells and a double-skin façade, while generating 11.48 MWh/year of electrical energy, yielded a negative net energy savings of 16.04 MWh/year. This result is ascribed to a 27.52 MWh/year rise in the building's overall energy demand relative to the reference model. The combination of amorphous silicon solar cells and a double-skin façade generated 11.5 MWh/year, but it also led to a net increase of 25.1 MWh/year in annual energy consumption. Similarly, the perovskite solar cell and insulating glass unit combination produced 15.3 MWh/year but yielded a negative net saving of 8 MWh/year. While these specific configurations effectively mitigated summer cooling loads, they significantly exacerbated winter heating requirements due to the loss of passive solar heat gains in the cold climate. In contrast, the configuration combining crystalline silicon solar cells with vacuum glazing demonstrated superior performance, generating 27.9 MWh of electrical power per year. Despite a marginal 0.6% increase in annual energy demand, this system achieved a substantial net energy saving of 23.9 MWh/year, establishing it as the most effective solution for both electricity production and thermal efficiency. These findings highlight the vital importance of strategically balancing solar heat gain, thermal insulation, and visible light transmittance to optimize building energy efficiency alongside sustainable electricity production. • Four optimal window types were studied: c-Si, a-Si, and Pk designs for energy, comfort, daylight, and cost. • c-Si with vacuum glazing produced 27.9 MWh/year, using just 0.6% more energy than standard windows. • Fine-tuning heat gain, insulation, and light boosts energy efficiency and clean electricity generation. • Increasing skylight area to 120 m 2 boosted power to 27.9 MWh, but cooling demand rose beyond that. • Study highlights balancing SHGC, U-value, and light for efficiency, comfort, and renewable energy in cold climates.