Jouri Kanters

Architects' design process in solar-integrated architecture in Sweden

Architects can play a key role in future solar-integrated architecture as they are involved in the building process from the beginning. Solar-integrated architecture takes both passive and active use of solar energy into account. The aim of this research was to gain insight into the actual design processes of solar-integrated buildings. Therefore, semi-structured interviews were conducted with Swedish architects who designed such buildings. Results showed that teamwork was experienced as crucial and building performance simulation tools were hardly used by the architects themselves. Results from these interviews serve as input for the development of new architectural guidelines for designing solar-integrated architecture as part of IEA-SHC Task 41: Solar Energy & Architecture.

The impact of urban design decisions on net zero energy solar buildings in Sweden

Planning for future energy-efficient and energy-producing buildings requires specific knowledge during the design process. Many design decisions taken by urban planners –form, density, roof type and orientation – have a significant effect on the conditions of such buildings, although urban planners might not always be aware of the effect of their design. This study examines the effects of important design decisions on the solar energy potential of net zero energy solar buildings. Typical Swedish building blocks with varying form, density, roof type and orientation were used to simulate the annual solar irradiation and energy production, and to calculate the load match for heating and electricity under Swedish conditions. Results of this study show that the urban density is the most influential parameter on the solar potential of building blocks. Furthermore, flat roofs often returned the highest load match value, while the effect of orientation on the solar potential turned out not to be that straightforward. With the results of this study, urban planners can make better informed decisions, while it also provides a ground for the net zero energy solar buildings discussion by exposing the boundaries of such buildings in the urban environment.

Experiences from the urban planning process of a solar neighbourhood in Malmö, Sweden

Abstract Many cities have set ambitious goals regarding the production of renewables within cities using advanced energy planning. The crux of those ambitious plans and goals is to put them into action using different legislative instruments, like a zoning plan. In this article, the experiences of an action research project with the aim to support local urban planners developing a zoning plan that creates favourable conditions for solar energy in Malmö, Sweden, are described. The Swedish planning process, national legal framework and financial conditions for PV systems are described first. Then, different scenarios for optimising the zoning plan were studied, using mainly the economic performance as a key indicator. The results showed that the detailed development plan does create both barriers and drivers for the implementation of PV systems in new buildings. At the same time, it also became clear that the legal and financial framework are equally decisive. By describing the lesson learnt, the method can be applied to other (inter)national contexts.

3D solar maps for the evaluation of building integrated photovoltaics in future city districts: A norwegian case study

Three-dimensional (3D) solar maps based on Radiance simulations are presented for a future city district in southern Norway. The surface mapping method provides the commercial developer with a practical tool to evaluate the potential for building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). The solar maps identify the optimum roof and facade areas available for solar energy utilization. The importance of BIPV and facade utilization in new city developments is discussed, along with key questions raised by the commercial developer regarding the practical implementation of BIPV solutions. Based on feedback from the building industry, a simplified model has been implemented to evaluate surface areas producing a profit or a loss over the PV system lifetime. As tilted photovoltaic (PV) modules installed on flat roofs are not building integrated, three simulation variants have been performed for flat roofs with a small inclination up to ten degrees. For some buildings this will give a small gain in annual PV production and payback time. The resulting 3D solar maps give the developer a possibility to review early-stage plans in terms of building shapes and positions in the landscape, in order to maximize utilization of the available solar resource. This enables cost- and energy-efficient development of nearly zero-energy buildings in future city districts.