Abstract
This paper presents the results of the analysis conducted on six case studies related to solar energy integration in urban and rural environments located on the Italian territory. The analysis has been carried out within the Subtask C—Case Studies and Action Research of the International Energy Agency Solar Heating and Cooling Program Task 51 “Solar Energy in Urban Planning”. Three different environments hosting active and passive solar energy systems (existing urban areas, new urban areas, and agricultural/rural areas) have been investigated to attain lessons learned and recommendations. Findings suggest that (a) it is important to consider solar energy from the early stages of the design process onwards to achieve satisfactory levels of integration; (b) a higher level of awareness regarding solar potential at the beginning of a project permits acting on its morphology, achieving the best solution in terms of active and passive solar gains; (c) when properly designed, photovoltaic systems can act as characterizing elements and as a distinctive architectural material that is able to valorize the aesthetic of the entire urban intervention; (d) further significant outcomes include the importance of supporting the decision strategies with quantitative and qualitative analyses, the institution of coordinating bodies to facilitate the discussion between stakeholders, and the need for deep renovation projects to fully impact existing buildings’ stock; (e) when large solar installations are planned at the ground level, a landscape design approach should be chosen, while the ecological impact should be reduced by carefully planning the adoption of alternative solutions (e.g., agrivoltaics) compatible with the existing land use.
Highlights
Cities represent the place where 80% of the gross domestic product is generated and where around half of the world population lives, with expected growth to two-thirds by the middle of the current century [1]
This paper presents the results of the analysis conducted on six case studies related to solar energy integration in urban and rural environments located on the Italian territory
This paper presents part of the findings related to Italian case studies within the Subtask C—Case Studies and Action Research (STC) framed in the International Energy Agency (IEA) Solar Heating and Cooling Program (SHC) Task 51 “Solar Energy in Urban Planning” [29–31]
Summary
Cities represent the place where 80% of the gross domestic product is generated and where around half of the world population lives, with expected growth to two-thirds by the middle of the current century [1] The combination of these two factors demonstrates why urban areas are considered responsible for up to 75% of the global energy consumption and more than 70% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions [2]. The major alternative is distributed rooftop systems (i.e., applied and integrated systems), representing a market share of 40% in 2020 [12] This technology has the highest potential use in the built environment, especially for photovoltaic systems fully integrated into the building envelopes (i.e., facades and roofs), which perform the double function of energy producer and building cladding. The limitations of the study are presented, together with a conclusive summary of the main lessons learned and recommendations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
