Solar Photovoltaic Integration in Mediterranean Residential Buildings: Towards Sustainable Energy Solutions

This chapter aims to evaluate the feasibility of supplying a building in Seville with photovoltaic (PV) energy to meet its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and domestic hot water (DHW) needs according to the standards set by the Spanish Technical Building Code (CTE). Using the PVGIS calculator, it was found that complete energy supply could be achieved from December to March, with excess energy generated, but PV production falls short in the other months. Additionally, the study assesses HVAC and DHW energy consumption under various climate scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5) for the years 2050 and 2100, revealing a slight decrease in heating demand and a significant increase in cooling demand due to climate change. The chapter also explores the potential of using higher efficiency PV panels available in the market to bridge the gap identified, comparing these findings with the current CTE specifications. This analysis highlights the need to reformulate the CTE to promote the construction of nearly zero-energy buildings and examines the implications of climate change on future energy consumption patterns.