Photovoltaic BIPV Systems and Architectural Heritage: New Balance between Conservation and Transformation. An Assessment Method for Heritage Values Compatibility and Energy Benefits of Interventions

Cristina S. Polo López, Floriana Troia and Francesco Nocera
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Cristina S. Polo López: Swiss BIPV Competence Center, Innovative Envelope Group, Building System Sector, Institute for Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment (ISAAC), Department for Environment Construction and Design (DACD), University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Via Francesco Catenazzi 23, CH-6850 Mendrisio, Switzerland
Floriana Troia: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
Francesco Nocera: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6, 95125 Catania, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-31

Abstract: This paper proposes to identify an approach methodology for the incorporation of building-integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV) in existing architectural heritage, considering regulatory, conservation and energy aspects. The main objective is to provide information about guidance criteria related to the integration of BIPV in historical buildings and about intervention methods. That will be followed by the development of useful data to reorient and update the guidelines and guidance documents, both for the design approach and for the evaluation of potential future interventions. The research methodology includes a categorization and analysis of European and Swiss case studies, taking into account the state of preservation of the building before the intervention, the data of the applied photovoltaic technology and the aesthetic and energy contribution of the intervention. The result, in the form of graphic schedules, provides complete information for a real evaluation of the analyzed case studies and of the BIPV technological system used in historical contexts. This research promotes a conscious BIPV as a real opportunity to use technology and a contemporary architectural language capable of dialoguing with pre-existing buildings to significantly improve energy efficiency and determine a new value system for the historical building and its environment.

Keywords: solar energy; heritage buildings; energy efficiency; building integrated photovoltaic BIPV; renewable energy sources (RES) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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