Integrating photovoltaic systems and green roofs : exploring green roof design options with photovoltaics to enhance urban climate and foster social integration : an exemplary case study in Dresden city
Mishael, Maram (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024100426048
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024100426048
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The rapid pace of urbanization has intensified the issues of overheating and the urban heat island effect, leading to deteriorated urban climates and weakened social cohesion. This thesis ventures into a novel solution: integrating green roofs with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to rejuvenate urban climates and foster social unity in neighborhoods plagued by poor environmental conditions and social disintegration.
Adopting a dynamic mixed-methods approach, where qualitative research involved interviewing professionals to discover the advantages and challenges of merging green roofs with PV systems. Thematic maps and Site visits and observations provided a hands-on assessment of implementation feasibility, while the professional PVSYST software along with Skelion solar plug-in tool were employed to model and simulate potential energy outputs and their environmental and social impacts. These methodologies converged in a case study set in the vibrant city of Dresden, where a solar-green roof design for a central commercial building was developed, and showcasing multifaceted benefits on social and urban climate.
The PVSYST simulation results highlighted significant energy production and notable CO2 emissions reductions, underscoring the environmental efficacy of this integrated approach. The final solar-green roof design addressed two different combinations of green roofs with PV system: an extensive green roof with tilted roof mounted Photovoltaic system, and another intensive green roof with elevated PV-system. The integration reflects a successful integrated system reflected in the amount of energy that can be produced and its effects on the environment and financial savings. With a total amount of 247956 kWh per year for both systems. And with saved CO2 emissions of 2262.50 tCO2 emissions (103 thousand trees) among 30 years or 3434 trees to offset per year.
Furthermore, the energy produced of the used PV systems save 71907.24 Euro per year as the updated electricity prices in Germany. Moreover, the integration with the green roof will optimize the PV system performance and produce more energy and increase the savings. With the extensive and intensive green roof design the building will be able to retain rainwater of an annual average up to 60% resulting in storm water fees reduction by 50 %. The Dresden case study not only exemplifies these environmental gains but also illustrates how thoughtfully designed green spaces can strengthen social cohesion.
This research breaks new ground by offering creative and practical design strategies for solar green roofs on a relatively new commercial building with sufficient load bearing capacity, an area ripe for exploration. The results provide a beacon for urban planners and policymakers, demonstrating how sustainable design can simultaneously address climate challenges and enhance social well-being in urban landscapes.
Adopting a dynamic mixed-methods approach, where qualitative research involved interviewing professionals to discover the advantages and challenges of merging green roofs with PV systems. Thematic maps and Site visits and observations provided a hands-on assessment of implementation feasibility, while the professional PVSYST software along with Skelion solar plug-in tool were employed to model and simulate potential energy outputs and their environmental and social impacts. These methodologies converged in a case study set in the vibrant city of Dresden, where a solar-green roof design for a central commercial building was developed, and showcasing multifaceted benefits on social and urban climate.
The PVSYST simulation results highlighted significant energy production and notable CO2 emissions reductions, underscoring the environmental efficacy of this integrated approach. The final solar-green roof design addressed two different combinations of green roofs with PV system: an extensive green roof with tilted roof mounted Photovoltaic system, and another intensive green roof with elevated PV-system. The integration reflects a successful integrated system reflected in the amount of energy that can be produced and its effects on the environment and financial savings. With a total amount of 247956 kWh per year for both systems. And with saved CO2 emissions of 2262.50 tCO2 emissions (103 thousand trees) among 30 years or 3434 trees to offset per year.
Furthermore, the energy produced of the used PV systems save 71907.24 Euro per year as the updated electricity prices in Germany. Moreover, the integration with the green roof will optimize the PV system performance and produce more energy and increase the savings. With the extensive and intensive green roof design the building will be able to retain rainwater of an annual average up to 60% resulting in storm water fees reduction by 50 %. The Dresden case study not only exemplifies these environmental gains but also illustrates how thoughtfully designed green spaces can strengthen social cohesion.
This research breaks new ground by offering creative and practical design strategies for solar green roofs on a relatively new commercial building with sufficient load bearing capacity, an area ripe for exploration. The results provide a beacon for urban planners and policymakers, demonstrating how sustainable design can simultaneously address climate challenges and enhance social well-being in urban landscapes.