Solar Energy and Architecture
Context:
A combination of making buildings more energy-efficient and using a larger fraction of renewable energy is a key issue to reduce the non-renewable energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Solar energy use can be an important part of the building design and the building’s energy balance to a much higher extent than it is today. Cleverly used, active and passive solar energy systems can contribute both to the energy supply and to a higher quality of the architecture.
Due to the large size of solar systems in relation to the scale of the building envelope, the architectural quality of their integration has a major impact on the final architectural quality of the building.
Goals:
The main goal is to help achieve high quality architecture for buildings integrating solar energy systems: on one hand by improving the qualifications of the architects, their communications and interactions with engineers, manufacturer's awareness on building integration issues.
Criteria:
Criteria will be defined and guidelines proposed for all the actors in the field; architectects, collectors and facade/roof manufacturers, clients and public bodies (municipalities, city planners). Thgouhg various interactions with all these actors, the results of this task should largely contribute to increase the architectural quality of the products anhd of the integrations.
Scope:
The Task covers both residential and non-residential buildings, new and existing buildings and single buildings as well as whole urban areas.
Outcomes:
Brochures, case studies and different guidelines for architects, tool developers and solar product developers.
Duration:
May 2009 to April 2012
Participating Countries:
Australia, Austria, Belgium , Canada, denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Operating Agent:
Maria Wall
Energy and Building Design
Lund UNiveristy, Lund, Sweden
e-mail: maria.wall@ebd.lth.se
for more information visit Solar Energy and Architecture. (external link)