THE APPLICATIONS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES IN BUILDINGS

Abstract

Abstract Considerable opportunities exist, most particularly (though by no means exclusively) in the design of new buildings, to integrate renewable energy technologies and thus reduce or even replace conventional energy sources. These technologies can include passive and active solar heating and cooling, and photovoltaic power. Such strategies to improve the energetic performance of buildings and to reduce their environmental impact will always be complemented by conservation and energy efficiency measures. Passive heating, natural cooling and daylighting represent a spectrum of strategies whose applicability is modified by region and building type, and whose contribution varies from the modest fraction by which most buildings already benefit, to that in well-designed new buildings where the solar energy contribution may represent more than half (and in suitable cases, when combined with other solar techniques, all) of the energy conventionally required to provide comfortable thermal and visual environme...