Solar action plans in European cities

Abstract

POLIS (Identification and mobilization of solar potentials via local strategies) is funded under the Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) Programme aiming at the implementation of strategic town planning and local policy measures to activate the solar ability of urban structures in European cities (www.polis-solar.eu). The aim is to present and evaluate current developments and bring together key stakeholders of this process to improve planning/legislation practice towards a solar development. With respect to the urban structures and composition of buildings the importance of solar energy is evident, since the shape of constructive structures and relevant surfaces are the basis for application of solar systems and for receiving passive solar gains. To ensure the solar use certain requirements need to be included in development planning and building legislation. In addition, existing buildings need to be qualified for the application of solar systems. POLIS project brings together local authorities with different experiences and varying states of urban development from France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, to share their knowledge on solar town planning and encourage further activities within the scope of an expert network for cities. © 2012 WIT Press.