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.