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

Author

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  • Matteo Formolli

    (Department of Architecture and Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Gabriele Lobaccaro

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Jouri Kanters

    (Energy and Building Design, Lund University, 223 62 Lund, Sweden)

Abstract

Within the framework Solar Heating and Cooling Programme of the International Energy Agency Task 51 “Solar Energy in Urban Planning”, case studies from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark were collected and analyzed through a comparative approach. The cases were first classified based on their urban characterization (existing and new urban areas) and then compared within the same country or in a cross-country perspective according to three areas of interest (i.e., Scale and planning process, Legislation and planning process, Targets and goals). The comparisons follow a common template of five sections describing the role of the involved stakeholders and highlighting challenges, barriers, and opportunities for the deployment of active solar systems and passive solar strategies. Both technical and non-technical aspects are considered. Among the technical aspects, the focus is on the adoption of solar energy strategies (e.g., solar accessibility, daylighting), the estimation of solar potential and energy generation. Regarding the non-technical aspects, the focus is on identifying barriers and challenges for the adoption of solar systems in relation to national and local legislation. The findings show that municipalities can have a crucial role in facilitating the adoption of solar energy solutions in cities by embracing ambitious visions and storytelling, as well as being directly financially involved as owners or subsidizing bodies. The findings also demonstrate the value of the use of indicators to evaluate the performance of masterplans, the combination of analogue and digital tools in the design process, and the performance of solar simulations from early stages to foster awareness among the involved stakeholders. Despite these positives, the Scandinavian legislation on solar energy utilization in the urban context still displays fragilities, making the creation of guidelines a pressing need.

Suggested Citation

  • Matteo Formolli & Gabriele Lobaccaro & Jouri Kanters, 2021. "Solar Energy in the Nordic Built Environment: Challenges, Opportunities and Barriers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:24:p:8410-:d:701555
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lobaccaro, G. & Croce, S. & Lindkvist, C. & Munari Probst, M.C. & Scognamiglio, A. & Dahlberg, J. & Lundgren, M. & Wall, M., 2019. "A cross-country perspective on solar energy in urban planning: Lessons learned from international case studies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 209-237.
    2. Gabriele Lobaccaro & Malgorzata Maria Lisowska & Erika Saretta & Pierluigi Bonomo & Francesco Frontini, 2019. "A Methodological Analysis Approach to Assess Solar Energy Potential at the Neighborhood Scale," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-28, September.
    3. Freitas, S. & Catita, C. & Redweik, P. & Brito, M.C., 2015. "Modelling solar potential in the urban environment: State-of-the-art review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 915-931.
    4. Tyagi, V.V. & Rahim, Nurul A.A. & Rahim, N.A. & Selvaraj, Jeyraj A./L., 2013. "Progress in solar PV technology: Research and achievement," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 443-461.
    5. Paatero, Jukka V. & Lund, Peter D., 2007. "Effects of large-scale photovoltaic power integration on electricity distribution networks," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 216-234.
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    2. Mattia Manni & Alessandro Nocente & Martin Bellmann & Gabriele Lobaccaro, 2023. "Multi-Stage Validation of a Solar Irradiance Model Chain: An Application at High Latitudes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-18, February.
    3. Formolli, M. & Kleiven, T. & Lobaccaro, G., 2023. "Assessing solar energy accessibility at high latitudes: A systematic review of urban spatial domains, metrics, and parameters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
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    5. Karttunen, Lauri & Jouttijärvi, Sami & Poskela, Aapo & Palonen, Heikki & Huerta, Hugo & Todorović, Milica & Ranta, Samuli & Miettunen, Kati, 2023. "Comparing methods for the long-term performance assessment of bifacial photovoltaic modules in Nordic conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(P1).

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