Solar Energy Perspectives - IEA

Chapter 4: Buildings
Figure 4.11 An integrated approach to the development of solar energy in buildings
Solar passive gains reduce space heating needs
Positive net exchanges with the main
Roof-mounted
PV production (facing equator)
Solar thermal
collectors on
facades
Efficient envelope
and windows
Induction for
cooking and
efficient appliances
Heating
floors
AC/DC
inverter
DC electricity
to car
Water
tank
Reversible
ground-source
heat pump
Excess heat from solar
collectors stored in the ground
Key point
Energy efficiency and solar energy technologies must be closely associated.
• A common difficulty in achieving building refurbishment (including addition of solar
water and passive or active space heating systems) is split incentives. An example is
when landlords have to pay the investment costs while most of the benefits accrue to
tenants (or costs accrue to real estate developers and benefits to future inhabitants).
Specific regulation could overcome such issues, such as the solar ordinances that
make using solar energy to provide for a share of domestic hot water needs, or
energy-efficiency regulation in buildings stringent enough to effectively promote solar
energy. Other, more market-oriented possibilities could include developing use of
third party financing and energy service companies. Allowing for targeted revisions
of existing renting contracts, in countries where they are usually prevented by
regulation, may also help solve the issue for the common benefit of landlords and
tenants.
Making buildings energy producers as much as energy consumers requires that electricity
companies must purchase customer-generated power at a fair price, which should be made
mandatory by local or national jurisdiction.
91
© OECD/IEA, 2011