Improving the Market Up-take of Energy Producing Solar Shading: Experiences from Three Cases of Retrofit

Paper in proceeding, 2017

The paper presents the test of a multi-value framework for the evaluation of energy producing solar shading on three cases of Swedish retrofitting projects. The evaluation framework was developed in collaboration between academics and industry partners in a transdisciplinary research project and considers: energy production, indoor environment and comfort, visibility and communication, aesthetics, design and process, and maintenance and repair. Results show that the model even though having few criteria gives a general and comprehensive feed-back about the outcomes, challenges and success of the projects. None of the projects scores high in all aspects,instead they exemplify different approaches to energy producing solar shading. All three have shading and low maintenance as important criteria for design. Furthermore, the availability of subsidies to add solar energy production to the shading has been decisive for choosing that solution. Case 1 has had energy production as an important driver and no architect was involved while in Case 3, being a listed building, aesthetics has been crucial.Case 2 shows a way forward with a good collaboration between the actors and a compromise between shading,energy production and aesthetics which respect the original design.