The Application of Photovoltaic Systems in Sacred Buildings for the Purpose of Electric Power Production: The Case Study of the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in Belgrade

Budimir Sudimac, Aleksandra Ugrinović and Mišo Jurčević
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Budimir Sudimac: Department of Architectural Technology, the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Architecture, Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 73/2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Aleksandra Ugrinović: Department of Architectural Technology, the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Architecture, Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 73/2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Mišo Jurčević: LTEF- Laboratory for Thermodynamics and Energy Efficiency, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, the University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 32, 21000 Split, Croatia

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: In light of climate changes, technological development and the use of renewable energy sources are considered very important nowadays, both in newly designed structures and reconstructed historic buildings, resulting in the reduction in the commercial energy consumption and CO 2 environmental emissions. This paper explores the possibilities of improving the energy efficiency of sacred heritage buildings by utilizing photovoltaic systems. As an exceptionally significant cultural good, the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in Belgrade shall serve as a case study, with the aim of examining the methods of mounting photovoltaic (PV) panels, taking into account the fact that the authenticity and the aesthetic value of this cultural monument must remain intact. A comparative analysis of the two options for installing PV panels on the southwestern roof of the church was performed using simulations in PVgis and PVsist V6.84 software, with the aim of establishing the most efficient option in terms of power generation. The simulation results show that photovoltaic panels can produce 151,650 kWh (Option 1) and 150,894 kWh (Option 2) per year, while the required amount of energy is 42,726 kWh. The electricity produced exceeds the electricity requirements for the decorative lighting of the Cathedral Church, so it can be used for other purposes in the sacred complex.

Keywords: solar energy; photovoltaic systems; heritage structures; sacred architecture; the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel; Belgrade (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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