Innovative Solutions for Solar Thermal Systems Implemented in Buildings

The transition towards Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) requires renewable energy systems to cover the thermal energy need. These have to cover the demand for domestic hot water, for heating and for cooling, in the needed amount and during the required periods, according to the building types and the implementation locations. Solar-thermal systems can play a key role in the sustainability scenario of any nZEB. However, implementing solar thermal systems beyond demonstration projects requires innovative solutions able to surpass the barriers that currently limit the widespread of these types of systems. Therefore, several prerequisites have to be fulfilled, related to functionality (efficiency), feasibility (implementation and O&M costs), architectural integration (giving use to roof, rooftops but also to suitably oriented facades), and end-users acceptance (incentives, promotion, etc.). These novel solutions were implemented in the R&D Center Renewable Energy Systems and Recycling, in the Transilvania University of Brasov and the results of infield optimized implementation confirm the viability of the novel trends presented by the paper.