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New Solar Buildings (left : 3M office building, Milan, M.Cucinella; Endesa pavilion, IAAC, Barcelona)
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Research summary Increased use of solar collectors in buildings is necessary but poses major challenges in existing built environments, especially where architectural coherence is an issue. The large size of solar systems at the building scale requires careful planning, as they may end up compromising the aesthetics of buildings, threatening the id...
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... reduction of building energy consumption and the replacement of fossil energy by renewables have become priorities for authorities and planners. New energy regulations, together with mandatory solar fractions for electricity and DHW are introducing new materialities and geometries in buildings, resulting in new forms of architectural expression which are slowly modifying our old city landscapes (Fig.2). The increased use of active solar collectors in buildings is necessary, but clearly poses major challenges in the existing environments. ...
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Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) offer aesthetics and freedom of design for architects and home owners. This can accelerate implementation and free up new spaces for solar energy harvesting at building level, which is a necessary step towards a climate neutral built environment. Colored solar panels with high conversion efficiency and low c...
Increased use of solar collectors in buildings is necessary but poses major challenges in existing built environments, especially where architectural quality is an issue. The large size of solar systems at the building scale requires careful planning, as they may easily end up compromising the aesthetics of buildings, threatening the identity of en...
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... Photovoltaic integration has been linked to urban planning through the concept of "criticity" (Farkas et al. 2013;Frontini et al. 2012). The term has been used by Munari Probst and Roecker (2015) to combine the value of the urban context (i.e. sensitivity) and the visibility from public space (i.e. ...
Landscape transformations derived by renewable energy sources exploitation may induce public resistance and loss of quality of the existing environment. Integrated approaches are needed to inform and guide transformation processes, relying on empirical evidence regarding spatio-technological feasibility, acceptance by the community, and integration in the landscape. To address this issue, the paper aims to propose a methodological procedure for the development of local spatial plans to implement photovoltaic systems at the local level. The procedure is spatially explicit, combining qualitative considerations of inhabitants and experts with quantitative data on energy potentials, and associating site selection with solar integration strategies.
The outcome is a planning framework combining spatial areas with quality requirements for the implementation of solar power plants, thereby allowing for the envisioning of future scenarios. The application of the method is tested in Arcos de la Frontera, Spain, considering both on-ground and on-roof distributed energy systems.
... On the other hand, tailored BIPV products with satisfactory aesthetic performance, for example BIPV systems that match the colour of their surroundings; or with a novel appearance, for example a PV media wall, were suggested for façades that have high visibility. This research shares a similar concept with the LESO-QSV method developed by scholars from EPFL [19,20] . To evaluate the visual impacts of coloured BIPV renovation on building façades, the authors presented a novel approach supported by saliency mapping [21] -an advanced method that uses computer vision techniques to anticipate human visual attention. ...
Aiming to develop a zero-carbon society, China has launched ambitious goals for 2030 and 2060. The building sector is one of the most carbon-intense industries, responsible for around one-third of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. This share is even higher in high-density urban areas. There is an urgent necessity to use renewable energy systems in the built environment, such as building integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs), so as to maximise the harvest of clean solar energy while reducing the GHG emissions. Based on recent national building regulations, all new buildings are required to install photovoltaic systems. However, there is a lack of systematic research and design methodologies to support BIPV systems in high-rise, high-density communities-here, both the roof and façade areas should be used to harvest solar energy. Key challenges to BIPV adoption in these communities are complex shadowing effects caused by the high-density context, self-shading effects caused by residential façade elements like balconies, potential glare caused by novel PV materials, and others. To overcome these barriers and realise future-oriented smart community designs, we conducted systematic research that included a literature review focusing on BIPV design in high-density communities, and case studies of a real project with BIPV systems designed by the authors. The literature review investigates existing architectural design methods for BIPV application in this context. Typical BIPV systems are roof PVs, façade shading PV devices and semi-transparent glazing. Most current studies focus on energy m p b M P m o V aspects, via simulations or experiments, leaving other design aspects, such as aesthetics and public acceptance, addressed less often. A case study analysis of the design for Treehouse, a net-zero tower, is presented, demonstrating the design methods and BIPV technologies used by the authors in a real high-density urban scenario. The findings and analysis will provide a foundation for future study. The authors recommend that holistic architectural design methods should be developed to support BIPV systems. These should have multiple objectives, including community planning, architectural geometry design, building orientation and arrangement, BIPV design and integration, visual and aesthetic performance, and others. 【Keywords】 BIPV; Zero carbon; architectural design; community 1. Introduction Climate change is one of the world's grand challenges, one which all nations on Earth need to work together to tackle. Many countries have set out concrete plans and are taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. China has also announced ambitious targets to peak its carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve full carbon neutrality by 2060. To fulfil these ambitious goals, it is necessary to implement clean energy systems on a large scale, such as solar energy and wind energy. Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are an ideal approach to harvesting solar energy in the built environment; BIPV can also provide a foundation for the electrification of buildings. As a part of the building envelope, BIPV is an integrated system that brings together power generation, building component functions and aesthetics. The integrated BIPV component functions may include thermal insulation, noise prevention, weatherproofing, privacy protection, on-site electricity production, and offsetting the system's initial costs [5]. In April 2022, The Chinese Ministry of Housing's National Standard was updated to state that building energy efficiency and renewable energy utilisation of the general code now requires that all new buildings should have solar energy systems installed (sub-code 5.2.1.) [4]. Most of the prior studies and real-world projects related to BIPV are focused on low-rise buildings, like single-family houses or multi-storey apartments, for which the roof application of BIPV is the emphasis. However, studies have shown that in large, high-density cities, the façades of buildings have a higher solar potential than the roof areas. Thus, is reasonable to investigate façade integration of BIPV systems in high-density cities in addition to roof PV installations. However, in high-density urban environments such as compact communities, where the energy consumption is more intense, BIPV application is rarely explored. These could be due to several barriers: a lack of in-depth BIPV knowledge among architects, challenging shadowing and self-shading conditions in these high-density communities and the limited availability of BIPV products. Although there are extensive BIPV studies that focus on energy aspects via simulation or experiments, other design aspects like aesthetics and public acceptance are addressed less often. There is an urgent need for holistic architectural design strategies for BIPV application at the community level, especially in high-density urban contexts. Aiming to overcome the existing barriers to BIPV application, realise future-oriented smart community complex design and provide a foundation for further BIPV design method
... In line with this definition, several recent studies have advanced landscape-based approaches. The concept of landscape integration is widely known for photovoltaic applications in buildings, namely, Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) [33]. An extension of this concept has recently been proposed for on-ground photovoltaic applications, known as Landscape Integrated Photovoltaic (LIPV) [6,34]. ...
The increasing adoption of solar power plants requires the consideration of different aspects involved in the transformation of landscape. In this view, recent studies encourage public engagement and landscape integration strategies in the decision-making process to ensure an accepted and inclusive energy transition. However, there is limited knowledge on how to include landscape considerations in the planning processes, specifically on public perception and values. This work aims to assess five licensed solar farms in the region of Central Macedonia (Greece) based on the opinion of the inhabitants. The paper presents the results of an online and onsite questionnaire administered in different villages around the study area in October 2022. The survey utilized the potential benefits and impacts, as well as siting criteria and spatial configuration strategies, taken from literature to describe public perception and preferences. The methodology consists of three phases: investigation of public perception on solar farms; operationalization of the results to make them spatially explicit; overall suitability of the areas and mitigation strategies. The results illustrate the prioritization of the perceived impacts and benefits of photovoltaic installations and highlight the different levels of suitability of the areas and possible mitigation measures. The proposed approach is complementary to the planning processes taking into account societal considerations.
... LESO-QSV (Quality-Sensitivity-Visibility) is a cross-mapping tool for assessing the criticality of solar installations in heritage territories [63]. The "criticity" level of an installation combines the visibility of the solar system and the sensibility of the urban area. ...
The current legislative framework and the recent energy crisis ask for massive applications of renewable energy sources (RES) in the built environment to reduce energy demand, environmental emissions, and energy costs. The uncritical application of these policies, especially on architectural heritage, could generate serious conservation issues, compromising their heritage values, biodiversity, traditional appearance, and materiality. Thus, there is an urgent call to balance architectural heritage preservation with energy production using clear rules, policies, criteria, and heritage-compatible technologies. The present study aims at defining an updated overview of the application of solar, wind, geothermal energy, and bioenergy on architectural heritage. A deep literature review of the studies published in the years 2020–2023 has been performed, identifying main topics, challenges, advanced solutions, and future perspectives. Acceptability, design criteria, and cutting-edge technologies are also illustrated through case studies to better understand practical approaches.
... The integration of active solar systems is compatible with the built environment only providing a correct balance between the preservation of original features and the visibility of the solar systems from the building and the surroundings [126]. Visible surfaces require accurate assessment and higher integration quality especially in highly sensitive urban areas [127]. Careful design and installation on the building, adhering to, replacing, or overlapping the building elements with a coherent inclination and orientation, color matching (for cells as well as for the panels' frame), and matte finishing are suggested by all international guidelines and policies' recommendations. ...
The paper focuses on architectural integration of active solar technologies (photovoltaic and solar thermal systems) in the historic built environment. Interpreted and used as a building material in the envelope, they are able to positively support energy transition and to contribute to climate change mitigation without compromising the original typological-functional characteristics. Their integration is fostered by innovative architectural design, aesthetical appeal, flexibility, multi-functionality, cost reduction, and technological development. Moreover, they can enhance economic value, functionality, and human comfort of buildings. Despite these advantages, there is a social diffidence on their acceptability due to policy, design, technical, economic and information barriers. To overcome these issues, the paper aims at identifying shared design criteria for their integration in the historic built environment, through a detailed assessment of 44 international guidelines. The study develops a taxonomy of international recommendations on energy efficiency, microgeneration, and solar integration, missing in literature so far, by analysing and comparing recurring criteria and recommendations. Also, a glossary of the most important terms according to the aesthetic, technical, and energy integration levels is created. Thus, the research defines an innovative framework of reliable design criteria, and a shared vocabulary to promote active solar technologies integration in the historic built environment.
... In addition, to test the aesthetic designs, the generated FIPV design proposals with typical hues in the Trondheim context were evaluated through an online survey. Previous studies have shown that, to guarantee high-quality architectural integrations in urban or building levels, the solar energy systems should be in coherence with building design logic, in the aspects of system/module geometry, system/module materiality, system/module pattern or details , while colour, texture, materials, module size and positions were among the key aesthetic factors [39][40][41][42]. Based on environmental aesthetic theories and literature review, proposed a series of aesthetic factors and key evaluation criteria for FIPV in urban context, including system materiality in coherence with urban context, module materiality in coherence with façade design logic, module geometry in coherence with façade design logic and moderate complexity and novelty (Table 6). ...
Façade Integrated Photovoltaics (FIPV) is a promising strategy to deploy solar energy in the built environment and to achieve the carbon-neutral goals of society. As standing out areas of façade, cantilevered balconies are ideal for FIPV application. However, the balcony shadings can also influence the solar potential on other parts of facades and the interior daylight performance. There is an urgent need for systematic architectural studies to promote FIPV application for buildings with balconies. This research aims to develop a holistic architectural method supporting the integrative design of FIPV for residential high-rise buildings. Firstly, balcony prototypes and position arrangements (aligned, staggered and side) for high-rises were proposed, with Trondheim city in Norway as a case study. Then daylight and solar radiation analysis were conducted through a series of simulations. Based on aesthetic strategies, coloured FIPV designs were proposed subsequently and tested in an online survey. Finally, theoretical energy productivity calculations were conducted. The results showed that side balconies arrangement could provide the best performance in interior daylight and solar energy harvest aspects, and FIPV designs with partial balcony railing areas in complementary hues were the most aesthetically preferred type. The estimated annual energy generated by FIPV together with roof-integrated PV (black) can cover up to 60% of household energy consumption of an 11-floor high-rise. The study provided a novel integrative design method supporting the FIPV application for high-rise with balconies from architectural perspectives, which can balance the performance in aspects of façade aesthetic, interior daylight, and energy productivity.
... Differently, some studies consider aesthetical (formal) aspects of PV building integration. Some establish methods or criteria for evaluating integration (Bahaj et al., 2007;Bonomo et al., 2013;Celadyn and Filipek, 2020;Custódio et al., 2020;De Berardinis and Bonomo, 2012;Florio et al., 2015;IEA SHC, 2012;Kaan and Reijenga, 2004;Kosoric et al., 2011;Munari Probst and Roecker, 2015Polo Lopez et al., 2014;Sánchez-Pantoja et al., 2018;dos Santos, 2013;Schoen et al., 2000;Tablada et al., 2020;Xu et al., 2017;Xu and Wittkopf, 2015), some describe their formal features (Becker et al., 2018;Cronemberger et al., 2014;Devetaković et al., 2020;Hagemann, 2004Hagemann, , 1996aIEA PVPS, 1997;IEA SHC, 2012;Kaan and Reijenga, 2004;Peng et al., 2011;dos Santos, 2013;Scognamiglio, 2021;Scognamiglio and Privato, 2008), others deal with the integration of PV systems in landscapes (Scognamiglio, 2016;Scognamiglio and Garde, 2016;Scognamiglio and Røstvik, 2013;Torres-Sibille et al., 2009), and some consider all of the previous categories (Lobaccaro et al., 2019). The LESO-QSV (for Laboratoire d'Energie SOlaire -Qualité-Sensibilité-Visibilité) method, for example, establishes formal acceptability conditions for PV building integration regarding context sensitivity, system visibility, and socio-political context. ...
When used as building construction elements, photovoltaic (PV) systems can be multifunctional. Therefore, they can provide innovative envelope designs that impact energy consumption. PV integration can radically change the form of buildings and cities; thus, their architectural quality must be protected. This work evaluates the integration quality of PV systems, considering constructive, functional, and aesthetical (formal) aspects, contemplating performance criteria set by different stakeholders. The influences of PV integration on the energy performance of buildings, its energy generation, energy yield, Performance Ratio, economic viability, and aesthetical features are assessed. Widely used types of integration are contemplated: PV rooftops and PV shading devices. The approach is described in detail and uses the internationally adopted softwares EnergyPlus®, Rhino®, and PVsyst® to be broadly used by designers. Six case studies of a commercial building in low-latitude sites showed that PV building integration can be used as a strategy to reduce energy consumption, while keeping high energy generation performance, being economically viable, and respecting architecture. Results have emphasized the importance of assessing PV architectural integration quality, showing that a detailed analysis is essential to identify more advantageous situations.
... This section investigates the critical issues of implementing active solar strategies into a built environment. This is completed using a methodology developed by EPFL researchers within the framework of IEA SHC Task 41 "Solar Energy and Architecture", which is now integrated into the tool LESO-QSV [45][46][47]. As a first step, the solar system installation is evaluated according to the architectural integration quality. ...
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 Plan-ning". 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.
... Munari Probst and Christian Roecker developed a three-step evaluation method LESO-QVS for assisting authorities to preserve the quality of pre-existing urban areas when applying solar systems [16]. All formal characteristics of the solar system (field size/position; visible materials; surface textures; colours; module shape/size; joints) were grouped into three categories (System geometry, System materiality, and System details) for coherency evaluation. ...
... A LESO-QSV grid software tool [18] with qualitative assessment method was further developed to support the decision making for municipalities to install solar energy systems in the urban context. Figure 3: Concept of Criticiy [16]. ...
... In each criteria system, detailed criteria in architectural perspective are provided. The criteria system provided by Munari Probst, Roecker and Florio [16], [17] was especially practical to employ with its clear coherent suggestions on different characters of PVs. ...
The paper presents state of the art of design criteria for faç ade integrated photovoltaics (FIPV). A comprehensive literature review was conducted based on a large number of English-language journal papers, conference proceedings and scientific reports, mainly from recent 10 years. The study showed that there is an obvious lack of study on design criteria specific for faç ade integrated photovoltaics. Current design criteria for building faç ade integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) were analyzed and categorized according to the scale: building level and urban context. In the building level, the AIQ-model and criteria from the project IEA SHC T.41.A.2 provide the most applicable set of criteria. In the urban scope, LESO-QVS method is one of the most advanced methods for application in current stage. It is necessary to develop systematic design criteria covering both building and urban level for faç ade integrated PVs. Besides, criteria should take into consideration opinions from many groups involving in developing and use of buildings, i.e. architects, authorities and also end-users. Furthermore, a corresponding application tool with rating or evaluation system should be developed for the design criteria system.
Keywords: FIPV, design criteria, urban context, architectural perspective, state of the art
... Aesthetic factors and evaluation criteria for BIPVs and Solar energy systems in literatures were reviewed and analyzed. The study done by Farkas [1], LESO-QSV method developed by Munari-Probst and Roecker [17], as well as the AIQ-model proposed by Femenias et al. [18] were the most systematic ones with proposed aesthetic factors, criteria or design suggestions. Table I summarizes important aesthetic factors for BIPV/solar energy system from literature. ...
There is a growing demand to utilize building faç ade areas for installing photovoltaics (PVs) and producing more clean energy. To support the faç ade integration of PVs in the urban context, this study proposed a series of evaluation criteria from an environmental aesthetic perspective. Fundamental environmental aesthetic theories were reviewed and Canter's 'sense of place' theory, Kaplan's cognitive preference model and Nasar's six positive qualities in built environment were selected as theoretical reference for this study. In addition, a literature search including aesthetic studies for building integrated PVs and solar systems was conducted. Based on the findings, relevant aesthetic factors were grouped in two levels (i.e. urban context level and building faç ade level). A set of new aesthetic evaluation criteria is proposed for both levels, covering both perceived physical aspects and conceptual aspects. Colour, surface texture and glossiness are suggested as key factors for further investigation.
Keywords: Façade integrated PVs; urban context; environmental aesthetics; aesthetic evaluation criteria
