Solar Energy in the Nordic Built Environment: Challenges, Opportunities and Barriers

Formolli, Matteo; Lobaccaro, Gabriele; Kanters, Jouri

doi:10.3390/en14248410

Cited by 21 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Solar panels are installed on the green roofs, combining renewable energy generation with the benefits of temperature regulation, stormwater management, and biodiversity enhancement provided by the green roof systems. This integration demonstrates the synergies between solar energy and green infrastructure [181].…”

Section: State-of-the-art For Harnessing Solar Energy and Nature-base...mentioning

confidence: 82%

Integrating Solar Energy and Nature-Based Solutions for Climate-Neutral Urban Environments

Liu

Σκάνδαλος

Braslina

et al. 2023

Solar

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This study focuses on achieving climate neutrality in European cities by integrating solar energy technologies and nature-based solutions. Through an examination of current practices, emerging trends, and case examples, the study explores the benefits, challenges, and prospects associated with this integration in urban contexts. A pioneering approach is presented to assess the urban heat and climate change mitigation benefits of combining building-integrated photovoltaics and nature-based solutions within the European context. The results highlight the synergistic relationship between nature-based components and solar conversion technology, identifying effective combinations for different climatic zones. In Southern Europe, strategies such as rooftop photovoltaics on cool roofs, photovoltaic shadings, green walls, and urban trees have demonstrated effectiveness in warmer regions. Conversely, mid- and high-latitude European cities have seen positive impacts through the integration of rooftop photovoltaics and photovoltaic facades with green roofs and green spaces. As solar cell conversion efficiency improves, the environmental impact of photovoltaics is expected to decrease, facilitating their integration into urban environments. The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating water bodies, cool pavements, spaces with high sky-view factors, and effective planning in urban design to maximize resilience benefits. Additionally, the study highlights the significance of prioritizing mitigation actions in low-income regions and engaging citizens in the development of social photovoltaics-positive energy houses, resilient neighbourhoods, and green spaces. By adopting these recommendations, European cities can create climate-neutral urban environments that prioritize clean energy, nature-based solutions, and the overall wellbeing of residents. The findings underscore the need for a multidisciplinary approach combining technological innovation, urban planning strategies, and policy frameworks to effectively achieve climate neutrality.

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Section: State-of-the-art For Harnessing Solar Energy and Nature-base...mentioning

confidence: 82%

Integrating Solar Energy and Nature-Based Solutions for Climate-Neutral Urban Environments

Liu

Σκάνδαλος

Braslina

et al. 2023

Solar

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“…A growing number of cities, mainly located in the European Union (EU) and North America, have set renewable energy targets to support the green energy transition [3]. At the municipal level, the adoption of regulations, economic incentives, and the direct financial involvement of municipalities and public authorities, combined with the storytelling of successful practices, proved to be crucial in raising public awareness and in steering private developers toward sustainable strategies [4,5]. Similarly, in the past decades, national level measures constituted a strong enabler for the exploitation of renewable energy sources (RES) [6].…”

Section: Of 31mentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar Energy in Urban Planning: Lesson Learned and Recommendations from Six Italian Case Studies

et al. 2022

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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 Planning”. 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.

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“…Despite this growing attention to sustainable development and practices, standards or regulations that focus on solar accessibility and preservation, and the implementation of solar technology are still scarce to non-existent. Formolli et al (2021) identified weaknesses in Scandinavian solar energy legislations, challenging municipalities in promoting solar technology adoption and consequently hindering solar neighborhood development. Furthermore, the lack of such regulations can hinder the development of solar neighborhoods.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards the development of legislative framework for solar neighborhoods

Hachem Vermette,

Yadav,

Brozovsky

et al. 2024

Front. Built Environ.

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The growing implementation of sustainable urban infrastructure, utilizing solar energy for heat and power generation, daylighting, and thermal comfort, has intensified the focus on sustainability standards and guidelines. Nevertheless, a noticeable deficiency persists in regulations that specifically address solar energy access and protection, posing a barrier to the diffusion of solar-centric neighborhoods. This paper examines the traditional urban regulatory frameworks and the state of solar energy regulations and practices within five countries (i.e., Canada, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland). The aim of the study is to (i) identify gaps in existing regulations, standards, and codes, (ii) highlight the need for future regulations to protect solar access and rights, and (iii) support the deployment of solar technologies on a large scale. The results underline that climate-related regulations often fall short of specificity tailored to regional and local climates, relying on generalized climate considerations. Solar energy legislation is generally scarce and lacks comprehensive planning. Finally, despite various financial incentives for the installation of active solar strategies, their impact remains limited, impeding the wide spread of solar technology as a primary source of energy production in urban environment.

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Solar Energy in the Nordic Built Environment: Challenges, Opportunities and Barriers

Cited by 21 publications

References 19 publications

Integrating Solar Energy and Nature-Based Solutions for Climate-Neutral Urban Environments

Integrating Solar Energy and Nature-Based Solutions for Climate-Neutral Urban Environments

Solar Energy in Urban Planning: Lesson Learned and Recommendations from Six Italian Case Studies

Towards the development of legislative framework for solar neighborhoods

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