Integration of photovoltaic systems in thin ventilated façades with innovative insulation

The architectural, technological and energetic renewal of the built environment is a very relevant and strategic topic in relation to both the enhancement of urban environment quality and the support to production activities within the civil building field. A particular focus needs to be made on the upgrading of building envelopes which are characterized by low profile architectural solutions and energetic performance which are far lower than the minimum required to new buildings. This article deals with the built environment refurbishment, focusing on the opportunities and modalities of strongly innovative façade applications integrated with photovoltaic systems, aimed to achieve high performance and at the same time a very thin nominal dimension (thickness). There is also a detailed description of the study for the Building n° 15 of Politecnico di Milano envelope requalification, through the design of a cladding system ventilated façade with thin multifoil insulation, composite tile (porcelainized stoneware and sintered glass covering) integrated with amorphous silicon photovoltaic panels.