Solar buildings in Gardsten - A holistic approach including roof module collectors

Other conference contribution, 2006

Solar heating can be applied to new, as well as existing multifamily buildings; either the buildings are connected to a local heating plant or a district heating network. The paper describes a renovation project with 1 400 m² prefabricated roof module collectors on existing multifamily buildings renovated by Gårdstensbostäder AB, a municipal housing company in Göteborg, Sweden. Gårdstensbostäder has carried out a renovation project with the aim to demonstrate a comprehensive integrated concept, comprising energy conservation and utilisation of solar energy, as well as improved architectural and social conditions, making the buildings in a typical existing residential building area from the 1970's more attractive. The project comprises 500 apartments in 3-5 floor concrete element buildings in six blocks. The renovation was carried out in two phases: one finished late 2000 and one finished in early 2004. The first phase resulted in about 40% reduced operational cost that cover the capital cost for the energy saving measures including prefabricated roof modules for pre-heating domestic hot water.