Net zero energy buildings: Expense or investment?

Abstract With the objective of reducing the heavy consumption of building sector, sustainable policies around the world promote, for the future, the construction of zero-energy or nearly zero-energy buildings. Higher investment in efficient technologies for energy saving and exploitation of renewables, however, can cause doubts about the real convenience of these "new generation" buildings. Based on the analysis of a case study under development, this paper demonstrates that a zero-energy building represents an affordable investment cost, especially if integrated with photovoltaics

Photovoltaic technology for renewable electricity production: towards net zero energy buildings

In Europe, the building sector consumes more than 40% of final energy use. The Directive on Energy Performance in Buildings (EPBD), adopted in 2002 and updated in 2010, is the main legislative instrument for energy efficiency in the building sector in the EU. This paper shortly demonstrates how it is possible to fulfill the “zero energy” objective imposed by the directive recast for new buildings after 2020. In detail, the application of renewable energy sources and in particular of photovoltaic technology, together with an high energy efficiency design of both the building envelope and energy supply systems have been illustrated, showing the obtained results through some relevant case studies

Net Zero Energy Buildings: Expense or Investment?

With the objective of reducing the heavy consumption of building sector, sustainable policies around the world promote, for the future, the construction of zero-energy or nearly zero-energy buildings. Higher investment in efficient technologies for energy saving and exploitation of renewables, however, can cause doubts about the real convenience of these “new generation” buildings. Based on the analysis of a case study under development, this paper demonstrates that a zero-energy building represents an affordable investment cost, especially if integrated with photovoltaics