Design criteria for the integration of active solar technologies in the historic built environment: Taxonomy of international recommendations

The paper focuses on architectural integration of active solar technologies (photovoltaic and solar ther-mal systems) in the historic built environment. Interpreted and used as a building material in the envel-ope, they are able to positively support energy transition and to contribute to climate change mitigation without compromising the original typological-functional characteristics. Their integration is fostered by innovative architectural design, aesthetical appeal, flexibility, multi-functionality, cost reduction, and technological development. Moreover, they can enhance economic value, functionality, and human com-fort of buildings. Despite these advantages, there is a social diffidence on their acceptability due to policy, design, technical, economic and information barriers. To overcome these issues, the paper aims at iden-tifying shared design criteria for their integration in the historic built environment, through a detailed assessment of 44 international guidelines. The study develops a taxonomy of international recommenda-tions on energy efficiency, microgeneration, and solar integration, missing in literature so far, by analys-ing and comparing recurring criteria and recommendations. Also, a glossary of the most important terms according to the aesthetic, technical, and energy integration levels is created. Thus, the research defines an innovative framework of reliable design criteria, and a shared vocabulary to promote active solar tech-nologies integration in the historic built environment. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.