Here you will find information on anything to do with the energy model, energy supply, energy saving and power generation, in fact, everything you need to know, in the three languages.
Solar integration
Integrating solar energy into architecture and the landscape
The transition towards a more sustainable and self-sufficient energy model is based on power generation using renewable energies. Solar energy is almost certainly the alternative energy source with the most potential. It is the most readily available, the most socially acceptable and the most technically and economically viable.
The implementation of solar collectors in the city environment represents one of the biggest challenges for achieving a high-quality urban landscape. In this regard, surfaces used to collect solar power must be compatible with the various elements used in solar power installations.
The city's urban layout determines to what extent the integration of solar collectors is possible. Factors such as street layout, type of urban materials and visual exposure of the city play a determining role. Therefore, there are multiple integration strategies for solar energy collectors which are often based on giving them additional functions in the building enclosure.
Thus the City Council felt it was necessary to establish a series of criteria, tools and instruments that could help to spread a culture of integrating solar energy into the architecture of Barcelona’s urban landscape.
- Do you want to know the solar generation capacity of a particular building? Consult the energy resources map
Criteria for the installation of surfaces used for solar collection
The following is a selection of basic operational criteria to aid project managers apply the best professional practices to integrate solar energy into buildings:
10 principles for the optimum integration of photovoltaic installations:
Principle 1: Assess the viability of incorporating solar energy in new and fully renovated buildings
Principle 2: Prioritise selecting multifunctional and stackable solar collectors
Principle 3: Respect existing buildings when incorporating solar energy
Principle 4:Consider the characteristics of the surrounding buildings
Principle 5: Keep within the boundaries of and respect the host building's profile
Principle 6: Group together all the solar collectors on one surface
Principle 7: Select solar panels with a rectangular shape
Principle 8: Evaluate the alternative versions and models of the selected products
Principle 9: Maintain an equal distance between the solar collectors on the surfaces and the lines of the host building
Principle 10: On flat roofs, install the solar collectors away from the edges and at a low height
Principle 11: Combine thermal and photovoltaic collectors in the same installation
Principle 12: Ensure colours blend in
Principle 13: Measure and coordinate the joints between the panels and the plates
Principle 14: Minimise the visibility of the structure and the support installation
Principle 15: Take care of all the details
Solar integration toolDownload the tool and open the .zip file which contains an Excel file and various PDF files that you can use to simulate the recommended locations for integrating solar collectors in buildings. Read the user instructions in the file "READ.txt". You do not need to install any programmes to run the tool.
|
Solar integration resourcesDownload the resources and unzip the .zip file, which contains the following information:
|
Reflections on solar thermal energy in Barcelona
The Solar Energy Conference organised by the Barcelona Local Energy Agency in 2013 drew a series of conclusions that are still relevant today.
It proposed 23 measures grouped into 7 lines of action that respond to 2 challenges:
- Rehabilitating existing solar thermal installations
- Promoting new installations in different areas in new constructions
We recommend you read this relevant document, which outlines the common ground shared among all sectors involved in renewable energy.
Download the conclusions