A cross-country perspective on solar energy in urban planning: Lessons learned from international case studies

G Lobaccaro,S Croce,C Lindkvist,M.C Munari Probst,A Scognamiglio,J Dahlberg,M Lundgren,M Wall

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2019.03.041

Abstract

This work, framed in the IEA SHC Task 51 “Solar Energy in Urban Planning”, presents an illustrative perspective of solar energy in urban planning through the analysis of 34 international case studies conducted in 10 countries. The aim here is to examine challenges, barriers and opportunities for active solar systems and passive solar strategies by taking into consideration interrelated technical and non-technical aspects in ongoing and completed projects. It focuses on exposing potential pitfalls and illustrating lessons learned in case studies divided into three categories: (i) existing urban areas, (ii) new urban areas, and (iii) solar landscapes. The analysis has yielded insights into the solar energy strategy adoption, the evaluation of solar energy production, solar irradiation and daylighting, and the architectural quality, sensitivity and visibility of the solar systems for urban planning. The outcomes have implications to stimulate successful practices in implementing solar strategies in urban planning and facilitating their replicability worldwide by avoiding common mistakes.

Highlights

By 2050, a share of 49–67% of primary energy will be supplied by renewable energy sources (RES) [1], by lowering energy use and decarbonizing energy supply in the built-up environment, where solar energy will play a fundamental role.Since 1990, solar energy was widely implemented into building and its significance was illustrated largely amongst other RES
This work presents an illustrative perspective of solar energy in urban planning through a collection of 34 international case studies, which were analyzed within the Subtask C – Case Studies and Action Research, framed in the International Energy Agency (IEA) Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (SHC) Task 51 “Solar Energy in Urban Planning”
The results demonstrate the importance of taking into consideration the integration of solar systems since the early design phases to reach energy efficient districts [29]

Summary

Introduction

By 2050, a share of 49–67% of primary energy will be supplied by renewable energy sources (RES) [1], by lowering energy use and decarbonizing energy supply in the built-up environment, where solar energy will play a fundamental role.Since 1990, solar energy was widely implemented into building and its significance was illustrated largely amongst other RES. Solar energy solutions are becoming more diffused in built-up areas; their implementation in urban planning is not straightforward It faces several technical and non-technical challenges in what regards to the planning process, architectural integration, technology and energy related issues, as well as social, environmental and economic barriers [8]. The number of factors to be considered during the planning process is broad and includes the stakeholders involved; the technical solutions adopted; and the development plan for the area [5,16,17], interdisciplinary thinking is required [18] For this reason, energy planning moves away from common urban planning approaches, which first include the areas’ spatial characteristics and later consider energy related issues [19]. This complex process requires the integration of diverse technical and non-technical perspectives [20,21], especially in relation with the long timeline associated with planning process [16,22]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion