Photovoltaic integrated Buildings in Florence and Lucca, Italy: case studies

When using the integrated approach, the solar systems become part of the general building design, In fact they are also often become regular building elements. This is due to the fact that integrating the solar systems in the building envelope often is a necessity if the systems are to be economically feasible. The solar elements cannot be separate elements that are added after the building, or at least the architectural design of it, is completed. They must rather replace other building elements, thereby serving dual functions and reducing total costs. Case studies represents a coming of age of building-integrated photovoltaics. The PV elements are specially designed for glass shading devices. The photovoltaics will serve as shading elements and use an area protected by the new system. The overhanging shading roof provides adequate shade in the summer and allows for useful solar heat gain in the winter. These factors combined should help to keep the building‘s running costs to a minimum. In conclusion, the simulations and testing at the design stage show that the overall environmental strategy will reduce the building‘s running costs while optimizing visual and thermal comfort. The PV integration into architectural design offers more than cost benefits, it allows to create environmentally design and energy efficient buildings. The systems will be realized with crystalline photovoltaic modules integrated with a semitransparent module and there is also an example with PV modules in thin films.