Energy Retrofit of Heritage Buildings Through Photovoltaic and Community Energy Approaches: A Case Study Analysis

Abstract

The building sector accounts for nearly 40% of total energy consumption in Europe, with heritage buildings posing a critical challenge due to conservation constraints. This study investigates two protected heritage sites—Palazzo Ruspoli in Cerveteri and Palazzo Vitelleschi in Tarquinia—to identify effective energy retrofit strategies integrating high-efficiency windows, HVAC and lighting systems, and photovoltaic (PV) solutions for both on-site and virtual self-consumption within Renewable Energy Communities (RECs). Energy surveys, modeling, and simulations were performed to evaluate technical, environmental, and economic impacts. The results show contrasting outcomes between the two cases: at Palazzo Vitelleschi, the combination of efficient systems and rooftop PV reduced non-renewable primary energy demand and CO2 emissions by 73.5%, with a 10.7-year payback period; at Palazzo Ruspoli, REC-based virtual self-consumption achieved net-negative carbon emissions (−240%), a 95% reduction in non-renewable energy demand, and a 19.4-year payback period. These findings demonstrate that heritage buildings can move beyond carbon neutrality and actively offset emissions through shared renewable generation. The proposed simulation-based framework provides a replicable method to balance conservation and sustainability, supporting the decarbonization of the historical built environment.