Integration of Renewable Energies into Cityscape
Abstract
A visually appealing integration of renewable energies into cityscape is important to retain acceptance. Therefore, recommendations considering aesthetic requirements have been developed for photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal and air based heat pumps. PV and solar thermal (ST) on pitched roofs should match the roof’s shape and color and do without any elevation. On flat roofs, the installations should be as invisible as possible, which can be achieved by low elevation angles and large distances to the building’s edges. As visibility can often not be avoided completely, it is important to at least install the modules or collectors parallel to the roof edge. Showcase simulations have shown that an aesthetically optimized solar thermal system has a decreased energy output compared to a conventional installation, but it has almost no effect on the overall costs for heat generation in a time span of 20 years. Especially outdoor units of air based heat pumps should be installed with some kind of noise and sight protection (e. g. enclosure).