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Incorporating sustainable strategies into construction projects is not only a trend, but also a necessity. Every day, we are increasingly aware of the importance of responsible management of natural resources and understanding of the environmental factors involved in design projects.
Solar energy is one of the most commonly used strategies in residential buildings, including active and passive. Many countries in the world provide incentives to encourage the use of solar energy systems. The benefits of installing these systems can be seen in a short period of time, reducing monthly energy costs by up to 95%, which makes this strategy the most attractive of all sustainable solutions. One of the solutions. In addition, the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 years. They operate completely independently and only need to be cleaned once a year.
However, although solar energy systems are popular in architecture due to their many undeniable advantages, their impact on aesthetics is still an obstacle for architects and clients. The biggest challenge seems to be integrating them into the architecture from the very beginning of the design process, rather than just adding them to the completed project.
Nowadays, some alternatives can better integrate this technology into buildings, because the latest photovoltaic panels can also be used as cladding for flat or sloping roofs, exterior walls, and even for shading structures, such as pergolas and sunshades. Boards, balconies, etc.
With this in mind, projects such as the Yin Yang Building in California incorporated solar panels into the design from the very beginning. The system developed by US Department of Energy students perfectly combines engineering technology with the aesthetics of good residential buildings. Double-sided photovoltaic panels can absorb solar energy from the sunlight on the front and the reflected light on the back, maximizing the energy generated per square meter. In addition, they are visually attractive and will produce interesting compositions when applied to a balcony, as shown in the picture.
Similarly, Bundeena Beach House has a 16-panel photovoltaic system and Tesla battery, which is regarded as a linear reflecting pool in the roof garden design, providing all the electricity needs of the owner. It is important that photovoltaic panels are fully integrated into the design of houses and roof gardens as an example of how environmental features can be enhanced rather than weakened.
Without mentioning the solar decathlon student competition, it is impossible to talk about the innovation of residential solar systems. The Solar Decathlon, known as the “Sustainable Architecture Olympics”, is a biennial design competition that challenges 20 student teams to design, build and operate affordable and attractive off-grid solar homes. Among the many projects built every year, one of them stands out precisely because it is a flexible solar panel system. UrbanEden is a 2013 version of North Carolina’s proposal, powered by a series of photovoltaic panels on an adjustable rail system above the roof of the house. Solar panels can be moved off the deck to provide shade for outdoor rooms and the south wall in summer. These panels can be retracted in winter, allowing the sun to passively heat and illuminate the house through the southern glass wall. A creative method that can produce interesting and versatile works.
However, it is also worth mentioning some projects that have more traditional solutions but are also very discreet and elegant, such as Jenson-DeLeeuw NZE House. This house in the United States is a 200-square-meter house that can generate enough renewable energy to meet the energy needs of the family and provide sufficient power for electric vehicles. The roof is designed in a perfect position and slope to accommodate 56 photovoltaic panels, forming a single, extraordinary surface. The dark color also speaks to the palette of materials used in the house. The Passive House also adopted the same strategy, adding panels to the sloping bamboo roof structure.
The houses in Newhall South Chase also adopted this strategy, each with 5.4 square meters of photovoltaic roof tiles. Although much modest in terms of scale than the previous example, the addition of a panel covered with gray stone to the sloping roof is discreet but also very effective.
However, this solution does not always have to be cautious or invisible, photovoltaic panels can be used to generate contrast and different compositions, resulting in unique architectural features. CO2 Saver House is a good example, which places solar panels on the main facade, aligned with the glass roof to emphasize the prominent structure.
Although the options on the market today are still very limited, especially in terms of aesthetics, sustainable technologies are improving every day. Solar panels are made from food waste, which can harvest energy from invisible ultraviolet rays to generate electricity and solar panels completely Disguised on the roof. However, although this technology is not yet open to everyone, we can continue to find creative ways to balance functionality and aesthetics in our projects.
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