Surface Uses in Solar Neighborhoods

Abstract

This report has been completed through international collaboration under the International Energy Agency (IEA) Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) Programme - Task 63 on Solar Neighborhood Planning. Specifically, the work contributes to Task 63 Subtask B - Economic Strategies and Stakeholder Engagement by identifying and discussing the potential usage of different urban surfaces in harvesting solar energy. Special focus has been placed on the identification of conflicts and synergies among solutions, and their contribution to the major climate resilience and sustainability objectives defined by solar neighborhoods.

Solar Neighborhood Planning

“…Solar thermal and, in particular, photovoltaic (PV) panels producing electricity are increasingly being used, especially when integrated into or added to building envelopes. Inter-building areas, pavements, roads, and urban furniture are also suitable surfaces for integrating solar systems and energy generation 9 . Sun-tracking reflector systems for active daylighting control, concentrating and redirecting sunlight onto otherwise dark areas, are also labeled as active solar strategies.…”