Solar Energy

Handbook
Guidance on Combining Solar Technology
with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems

Energy Planning
Building-integrated PV
Transparent PV 27
Design feature
Coloured PV
Shading element
Combined greening & PV 68
PV on multi-unit residential building
21

Transparent PV
Building-integrated PV 76
Design feature
Bi-facial PV
Combined greening & PV 70 Shading element
Combined greening & PV 69

Intensive green roof & PV

79
Shading elements
Retrofitted transparent PV 24

Building-integrated solar thermal system

83
In-roof systems
25
Building-integrated PV
Transparent PV 28
Design feature
Building-integrated PV
Transparent PV 26 Retrofitted PV
24
Facade-integrated PV
Solar Energy
Handbook
Guidance on Combining Solar Technology
with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems
Table of
3 Combined options and usage synergies 62

3.1 Solar technology and green roofs/vertical greening systems 64

3.2 Combined solutions and model projects 65

contents
4 Model projects 74

4.1 Solar photovoltaics 76

4.2 Solar thermal systems 83

5 Planning guidance 88

5.1 Guidance on combining solar technology

and green roofs/vertical greening systems 91
5.2 Building type, usage and ownership - factors to
consider in connection with greening of buildings 98
5.3 Example of a combined solar green roof system 99
5.4 Fire safety 100
Foreword 4 5.5 Planning aids and tools from the various specialist fields 104
5.6 Guidance on care and maintenance of solar technology
Introduction 6 and green roofs/vertical greening systems 108
5.7 Step-by-step implementation guides for solar
1 Using solar energy and building surfaces technology and green roof/vertical greening systems 111
in the city – now and in the future 8
6 Government funding 114
2 Technologies 12
6.1 Subsidies from the Province of Vienna 116
2.1 Photovoltaics 14 6.2 Federal subsidies 119
2.2 Solar thermal systems 37
2.3 Hybrid collectors 42 Index of illustrations 126
2.4 Greening of buildings, a contribution to green infrastructure 43
2.5 Buildings and neighbourhoods for a sustainable future 59 Credits & publishing details 128
 The climate emergency is the greatest challenge of our times. Its consequences,
such as rising temperatures, have long since made themselves felt in Vienna as else-

Foreword
where. Vienna City Council has responded by launching an ambitious local authority
programme with the goal of making itself the first climate-neutral federal province
by 2040. By 2040 we aim to be emitting less greenhouse gases than our plants can
absorb. One crucial milestone on our path to net zero is the transition to clean energy.
We have set ourselves the target of doubling renewable energy production in Vienna,
compared to 2005 figures, by 2030.

In order to achieve this goal, we have launched the biggest solar photovoltaics cam-
paign in history. We aim to increase solar electricity production fivefold by 2025, and
by 2030 some 530,000 Viennese citizens will be supplied with solar power made in
Vienna. The roofs and facades of buildings and other sealed surfaces are especially
useful for solar photovoltaic installations. Thanks to the technological advances
made over the past few years, there is no longer any question of whether or not a
roof can be greened and/or used to generate solar energy. This Solar Energy Hand-
book summarises the technical possibilities and potentials for combining green
roofs/vertical greening systems with solar energy and shows how the two can be
implemented together.

To help us achieve our goals, it is also important to create the necessary incentives.
On 1 June 2021 we thus introduced a subsidy scheme for private individuals to sup-
port the installation of solar PV systems on green roofs. Both the subsidy scheme and
this guide are aimed at anyone interested in implementing solar PV & green roof/ver-
tical greening projects to harness the benefits of these combined solutions.

I hope you’ll find it interesting reading.

Jürgen Czernohorszky
Executive City Councillor for Climate,
Environment, Democracy and Personnel

7
 Since Vienna, as an urban centre, is disproportionately affected by global warm-
ing, the city also has ambitious goals with regard to urban greening, with greening
measures planned in public spaces as well as on the roofs and facades of buildings.
Urban greenery can improve the microclimate, provide shade and enhance urban
biodiversity, particularly in the summertime, while local people also benefit from the
enhanced amenity value of green outdoor spaces. Vienna’s ambitions in terms of
climate action and climate adaptation thus come together on our city’s roofs and fa-
cades, and it is precisely here that the new Solar Energy Handbook aims to position
itself, highlighting ideas and solutions that tackle climate action and climate adaptation

Introduction
as combined goals rather than competing ones.

In the past few years there have been a multitude of innovations and advances in
the field of solar technology and greened buildings. The handbook thus focuses on
two specific areas – building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and combined building
greening/solar PV solutions.

This new Solar Energy Handbook is deliberately being published to coincide with
the launch of Vienna’s solar PV campaign. It is designed to provide state-of-the-art
guidance, ensuring that smart concepts are employed to achieve the roll-out targets
so that all the city’s needs can be combined and met as effectively as possible.

The City of Vienna will lead by example here, installing as many photovoltaic sys-
tems as possible on the city’s municipally owned buildings in the months and years
ahead. But private property owners can likewise do their bit to support the shift
to more renewables and contribute to safeguarding Vienna’s high quality of life.
Efficient use of land and maximising the potential of the urban infrastructure are
essential considerations to this end.

As the programme leaders of the City of Vienna’s solar PV campaign, our task is to
create solutions for all usable surfaces, take steps to simplify the relevant proce-
dures and, ultimately, to make Vienna a model city for solar PV in the urban context.

Climate neutrality, or net zero, means a complete switch from fossil fuels to renew-
able energy sources. Over the next 50 years, solar energy will thus become one of Programme leaders of the City of Vienna’s solar PV campaign
the most important global sources of energy. Especially in cities, solar energy, along-
side geothermal energy, will play a crucial role in the transition to renewables. For a
city like Vienna, this chiefly means that in future, the roofs and facades of buildings
and covered outdoor areas will be used for solar energy production. The City of
Vienna’s solar PV campaign will be instrumental here in making the city’s energy
supply fit for the future. Furthermore, for many years now, building-integrated solar
Bernhard Jarolim Bernd Vogl
thermal energy generation has been a key application with a view to meeting the
Director of Construction Head of Energy Planning,
city’s climate action target. and Technology, City of Vienna City of Vienna

9
1

Using solar energy

and building
surfaces in the
city – Now and in
the Future

11 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 12 Technologies
 The last few decades have seen significant changes in the demands placed on urban authors hope to provide a tool that will help building designers to optimise the use
built environments. At the same time, climate-related problems in new and existing of solar energy. The combination of technology and nature enables us to use solar
buildings are being aggravated by more and more surface sealing, the urban heat energy most effectively and to improve the urban climate, thus raising the quality of
island effect and less water evaporation from green spaces, including parks, roofs life in the city.
and building facades (Pfoser et al., p. 11, 2013). The number of very hot days in Vienna
is expected to double over the next 100 years, causing the amount of energy needed The roofs of existing buildings offer great potential for the installation of solar
for cooling to increase threefold over the next 50 years. Alongside the creation of technology, and we should make use of it. Nearly two-thirds of the total roof surface
green spaces, the surface areas of existing and newly built structures can be used to area of the City of Vienna are at least theoretically suitable for retrofitting with solar
generate energy. Photovoltaic systems and solar thermal systems placed on walls 1
Presentation by Jürgen Preiss, PV and
technology. The surface area suitable for greening has been calculated at about
and roofs can generate electricity and heat. As space and surfaces are limited re- roof garden workshop, 04.11.2019 5,800 hectares of rooftops and 12,000 hectares of wall surfaces (net figures).1
sources, it is important to integrate different needs in designs for multi-purpose use.
And the relevant technologies are evolving all the time. In photovoltaics, for example,
solar cells are now available in different colours. They no longer have the typical look
Urban space of a PV array and can be integrated as design features in building facades. Thanks to
Microclimate, noise protection, CO2
sequestration potential, design,
these advances, solar technology has become very versatile and can be integrated
appeal, well-being, air purification, Urban space in urban settings with hardly any constraints on design. Likewise, coloured glass for
particle dust fixation
solar heating systems has been on the market for several years now, enhancing the
Surrounding area appearance of solar thermal collectors on building walls.
Rainwater drainage, water retention,
evaporation, ecological benefits,
rounding area
Sur
biodiversity Vegetation on roofs and walls is a valuable asset in densely built-up areas, providing
Building
benefits in terms of microclimate, energy, economy and ecology as well as prolong-
Cooling, noise protection/insulation, ing the useful life of buildings. Moreover, greening of buildings creates amenity
optimising the efficiency of active sys-
tems, CO2 potentials, design, facade
value; providing a more pleasant environment for people, greenery contributes to
weather protection, financial effects human well-being and quality of life.

The combination of building greening and solar technology gives rise to synergy
effects which help to increase the efficiency and performance of existing surface
Building systems. Greening/cooling the rear of a PV facade has a positive effect on the per-
formance of the PV modules. Combining PV and solar heating with a green roof
Figure 1: Potential effects of building
greening on the building, its immediate
creates shaded areas on the roof that function as new habitats for diverse plant and
surroundings and the wider urban space animal species.

Meeting future climate and energy challenges in urban environments requires solu-
tions that combine and draw upon synergies from solar and photovoltaic technolo-
gies, “Green City” solutions and nature-based systems.

Under the headline theme “Using Solar Energy and Building Surfaces in the City –
Now and in the Future”, this handbook presents the technologies that are available
to harness solar power as we look to the future. By describing in detail how electricity
and heat generation technologies can be applied in combination with vegetation
on buildings and which synergies can be expected from this design approach, the

13 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 14 Using Solar Energy and Building Surfaces in the City – Now and in the Future
2

Technologies

15 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 16 Technologies
 The following section presents the three technologies that can be used on building need to buy electricity from the grid. When the PV system generates more power than
surfaces – photovoltaics, greening with vegetation and solar thermal systems –, and is needed, the surplus may be either stored in a battery or fed into the grid, i.e. sold to a
describes their design and how they function. Additionally, there are sections on utility company.
community installations and the Renewable Energy Development Act.

Structure of a PV module
2.1 Photovoltaics
SOLAR CELLS
How does a photovoltaic system work? The smallest unit in a PV module is the solar cell, which converts sunlight to electrical
energy. The module is made up of a number of interconnected solar cells. The most
Photovoltaic (PV) technology uses solar cells to transform the energy from sunlight into frequently used PV cells are made of crystalline silicon, either in monocrystalline or
electrical energy. PV installations can be mounted directly on a building (on the roof polycrystalline form.
area) or integrated into the building facade. There are also free-standing PV systems
mounted on the ground. POLYCRYSTALLINE SILICON SOLAR CELLS
This is the solar cell type which is most frequently installed. The characteristic crystal
The components of a PV system are: the PV modules, wiring, safety devices and a structure of the cells resembles frost patterns. Each flake in such a pattern is a small
current inverter. A power storage unit (battery pack) can be added to store energy and silicon crystal. The crystals grow naturally during the production process. This is why poly-
thus improve the PV system’s effectiveness. crystalline cells are easier to make than monocrystalline ones, which require additional
processing. As a result, polycrystalline cells come at lower production costs than mono-
The sunlight that is intercepted by the PV modules is transformed into electricity, with crystalline ones, but they are also slightly lower in performance. Because of the lower
both direct and indirect solar radiation being used. The PV modules produce direct cost, polycrystalline solar cells are often used in PV systems on large surface areas.
current, which has to be converted to alternating current to be usable in the building.
This is done by means of a current inverter. The solar-generated electricity is now ready MONOCRYSTALLINE SILICON SOLAR CELLS
for use, to run electrical appliances in the building, power vehicles and generate heat. As opposed to polycrystalline solar cells, monocrystalline cells are made from a single
PV systems are designed to use most of the electricity generated on site, reducing the silicon crystal, which improves performance. They are regarded as highly efficient in
harvesting direct solar irradiation, requiring less surface area than polycrystalline solar
cells to generate the same amount of power. Monocrystalline-cell modules are the
A PV modules technology of choice for high outputs on a small (rooftop) area. The surface of mono-
B Direct-current power storage battery
C Current inverter
crystalline cells has a homogenous appearance, with surface colours ranging from dark
D Alternating-current power storage blue to black.
battery
E Power-consuming fixtures/appliances A
F Electricity meter B THIN-FILM SOLAR CELLS
G Power grid
Thin-film solar cells exist in different material compositions and structures. What they
E have in common is the manufacturing process and the thickness of the various layers
C (in the µm range), which are produced by vapour deposition of the material. Different
materials are combined so that a broad range of radiation can be taken up and used for
energy generation. The greatest advantages of thin-film modules are flexibility and low
weight. But as a rule, their efficiency is lower than that of other solar cells, which means
1 23 they require a larger surface area to produce the same amount of power. Surface
D
F G colours typically range from orange-brown to black. Thin-film cells allow much greater
Figure 2: Design of a grid-connected
freedom of design than crystalline cells.
PV system

17 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 18 Technologies
 SPECIAL SOLAR CELLS STANDARD PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES
In addition to standard cells, special designs are available, such as coloured cells (see At the core of a PV module are the solar cells, which are connected to each other. To
Figure 4), cells with printed surfaces or designs with holes (to allow some sunlight protect the solar cells against mechanical impact, weather and humidity, modules are
to shine through the cell). Any modification of a cell affects performance, however. made up of several layers. In standard modules, the outermost layer consists of glass.
When coloured glass is used, energy output is reduced by 10–20%. The solar cells are connected by solder tabbing wire. The rear side of a standard
module consists of a synthetic back sheet and an aluminium frame.

GLASS-GLASS MODULES
In glass-glass PV modules, both the front and rear layers on the outside of the
module are made of glass. With the stronger protective effect of the glass layers on
either side, glass-glass modules are more robust and have a longer service life. More-
over, they are designed to let sunlight shine through the module, illuminating the
area below. The drawbacks of glass-glass modules are slightly lower efficiency and
slightly higher prices, and they are less easy to mount than standard modules. Some
manufacturers offer customised module assemblies that allow shorter or longer
distances between PV cells. With this option, the buyer can choose how much of the
area below the module will be shaded, for example when installing the PV system as
Figure 3: Holes in solar cells prevent
total shading of the area under the
part of a conservatory roof.
PV array.

Figure 4: PV modules are available in

nearly any colour

Types of PV modules

The power output of a PV system is measured in kilowatt-peak (kWp). “Watt peak” is

defined as the power output produced by a module under standardised test condi-
tions. A standard PV module today is made up of 60 solar cells, has a power output of
up to 370 watt, a size of 1.7 m2 and weighs about 18 kg. PV modules with 72 cells are
also on the market, with top performers in the range of slightly over 400 watt. Their Figure 5: Glass-glass module
size is 2 m², and they weigh about 25 kg.
Figure 6: Thanks to their pliability and
low weight, flexible PV modules can be
Half-cell modules are a new trend in the production of solar modules. The solar cells used for a wide range of applications.

are cut in half for this application. The smaller cell size reduces the module’s inter-
nal resistance, thus enhancing its efficiency. Special designs are now available, in
which colours are printed on the glass pane of a module which may then be used for FLEXIBLE PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES
installation on a building facade, for example. Such installations are often no longer The special structure of flexible PV modules allows them to be bent, opening up a
recognisable as PV systems. wide range of installation options, including mobile applications; examples are arched
roofs (on caravans or boats) and roll-up shading elements. Combining very low
weight and high performance, these modules are especially suitable for roofs that
can only bear little additional weight load.

19 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 20 Technologies
 BI-FACIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES
Bi-facial modules generate electricity from direct radiation on the module front and
from (indirect) light on the back of the module. The rear side of bi-facial modules
is transparent – as opposed to standard modules, which have an opaque back. The
solar cells are designed to process light from both sides. Light can thus be harvest-
ed from the front and rear side of the module, raising the energy output over that
of standard (uni-facial) modules. Power output can thus be increased by up to 30%,
depending on the reflective properties of the surface behind the module.

e
ffus

di
di

re
c
ref

e
t

us
le

iff
cte

+d
d+

ted
dire

ecl
ref
ct

Figure 7: Structure of a bi-facial Figure 8: A plug-in module on a

PV module residential building in Vienna

Bi-facial modules are best suited for reflective sub-surfaces, carports, noise protection CURRENT INVERTER
barriers and for vertical installation, for example on fences, which makes them suitable A current inverter is required to transform the direct current generated by the PV
for private as well as public use. modules into alternating current, which is used in households. Systems with a rated
power of 3.68 kVA and more have to have three-phase feed-in to avoid substantial
An advantage of vertically mounted bi-facial modules is that solar power generation is unbalanced loads. These and other technical requirements are specified in the TOR
strong both in the morning and the afternoon. This helps to even out electricity gener- Erzeuger (Technische und organisatorische Regeln für Erzeuger, Technical and organi-
ation and use over the day. sational rules for power generators). In most systems, the inverter is selected to be
capable of dealing with slightly more than the rated power load. This is done because
PLUG-IN MODULES a system runs at highest efficiency in the upper output ranges. The inverter serves as
Plug-in modules are easy to install and may be used by any household without first ob- an interface between the PV system and the public grid and ensures smooth opera-
taining approval for grid integration from a power utility. Their maximum rated output tion. Important parameters of inverters are efficiency, service life, functionalities and
is 800 watt (TOR Erzeuger – Technical and organisational rules for power generators, ease of installation.
Type A, version 1.1). For further information (in German), see www.pvaustria.at/normen .

21 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 22 Technologies
 POWER OPTIMISER Rooftop photovoltaic systems
Even with optimum planning, shading of some PV modules at certain times cannot al-
ways be completely avoided. Shading or soiling cause the power output of the affected Depending on the pitch of the roof, PV modules are either installed parallel to the
module to drop, affecting the performance of other modules as well. Power optimisers, roof surface or mounted on racks at an angle to the surface. Parallel installation is
which are attached directly to individual modules, monitor and optimise performance usually the preferred option for roofs with a pitch of between 20 and 50 degrees. The
of each single module. This prevents shaded modules from affecting the performance solar power yield of PV systems on roofs that are flat or with very little pitch can be
of other modules. Many manufacturers are already integrating power optimisers into increased by mounting the PV modules at an angle of 15 to 35 degrees. In addition,
their modules at the production stage. An online tool is used to monitor the individual rain will keep the modules clean, and snow will be able to slide down the module
PV modules and detect drops in power output in good time. surface. PV systems on pitched roofs are mounted directly on the rooftop, anchored
into the roof structure. Rooftop- and wall-mounted PV systems require sufficient rear
POWER STORAGE UNIT ventilation to keep them cool. The distance between the module body and the roof
By using a battery pack for temporary storage of PV-generated electricity, even more surface should be 10 to 15 cm. A PV system with an east-west orientation on a flat
solar power can be utilised at the place of production, raising the on-site harvesting roof produces power mainly in the morning and the afternoon, as shown in Figure 12.
rate significantly. As a result, the owner of the battery pack is less dependent on the
local energy utility, and potential price increases will have less of an effect. The following pictures show various options for mounting PV systems on building
roofs.
Lithium-ion batteries are the state-of-the-art technology today. They are maintenance-
free and highly efficient and offer large depths of discharge for up to 8,000 charge/
discharge cycles. Moreover, they are small and light-weight. In addition to lithium
batteries, there are also saltwater-based battery systems. These are a very safe and
eco-friendly option. A power storage system should always be chosen based on the
specific needs of a given project.

The average lifespan of a battery pack is 20 years. As batteries are charged only when
surplus energy is produced, the system can be expected to go through 100 to 200
charge/discharge cycles per year. This translates to about 4,000 cycles for the full
lifespan of a solar power battery used in a PV system.

Given the ongoing developments in the field of e-mobility, battery prices are expected
to go down further in the future.

Options for installing a photovoltaic system

There are three basic options for the installation of PV modules:

Figure 9: Rooftop PV system on
1. Mounting the PV modules directly on the building roof a multi-unit apartment building

2. Integration of the PV modules into the building design, where they may replace
parts of the roof and/or walls, serve as shading elements or fall barriers, etc.
3. PV systems on the ground may have a double function, for example as roofing for
a carport or car park, or in the management of agricultural land

23 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 24 Technologies
 Figure 12: East-west-orientated PV
Figure 10: Rooftop PV plus solar ther- system on the roof of a multi-storey
mal system on a single-family home car park

Figure 11: Rooftop PV system on an

apartment building, used as a commu- Figure 13: PV system on the roof of
nity PV plant, Lavaterstrasse, Vienna Technology Centre 2, Seestadt Aspern

25 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 26 Technologies
 Building-integrated photovoltaic systems

Given the significant potential of building surface areas, integrating PV modules into a
building’s walls is a viable solar design option. In addition to generating electrical pow-
er, building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems also have a functional role in the
building design. Made of customised glass-glass modules, BIPVs may be used instead
of conventional facade or roofing elements or for shading. In this design approach, the
BIPV system replaces and fulfils the functions of the roof or facade. Integrated designs
may be more aesthetically pleasing, they do not require racking, and the conventional
roof/facade surfaces will be smaller and thus cost less. On the other hand, BIPV mod-
ules which have to fulfil the functions of a roof (moisture and noise protection, thermal
insulation) often come at a higher cost compared to conventional modules, and their
installation is more complex.

The power output of facade-integrated modules that are mounted at right angles to
the ground is 30% lower than that of arrays with an optimum tilt angle.

BIPV systems can be used freely in very diverse designs, as the following pictures show.
Figure 14: Flexible, lightweight PV mod-
ules supply power for the Ottakring
station on underground line U3

Figure 15: PV array atop Vienna’s

aquarium (“Haus des Meeres”)
Figure 17: BIPV system takes on the
Figure 16: PV roofing (seen from functions of the roof
below) at the Vienna aquarium; bi-
facial modules generate electricity
and provide shade

The BIPV system on the administrative building of TU Vienna is one of Austria’s largest
building-integrated PV systems. The modules are mounted on the building’s facade,
An array of bi-facial PV modules provides power for Vienna’s aquarium (“Haus des roof, staircase and terrace and also function as shading elements. The power gener-
Meeres”) and shade for the rooftop café, as shown in Figures 15 and 16. Special ated by the system is used directly in the building, with surpluses being transmitted to
steel brackets and custom-made semi-transparent solar panels have been deployed neighbouring buildings on the University campus.
to preserve the impressive view of the city from the building roof.

27 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 28 Technologies
Figures 18 + 19: BIPV glass-glass mod-
ules are integrated into the facade of
TU Vienna

The Solaris residential building in Zurich (see Figure 20) sets a standard for sensitive
development in an urban setting. Here, state-of-the-art solar panels have been
integrated into the building envelope, giving the apartment building a homogenous
appearance. Creative solar panel solutions combine structured cast glass on the front
and ceramic digital printing on the back; they are not immediately recognisable as
PV modules and add to the building’s appeal.
Figure 21: Printed PV modules on the
facade of the “Energiehaus” in Lucerne
More examples from Switzerland and Germany of different BIPV system designs and generate electricity

ways of integrating them into buildings are shown in Figures 21–24.

Figure 22: Apartment building with

proactive energy design in Zurich. A
Figure 20: Solaris residential building project by the Stiftung Umwelt Arena
in Zurich; facade made of PV modules Schweiz foundation in collaboration
that generate electricity with René Schmid Architects

29 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 30 Technologies
 The envelope of the Pierre Arnaud Foundation building in the francophone region of
Switzerland is an example of a near-perfect solution that combines several distinct
functions. The solar cell facade generates electricity and protects the works of art with-
in against harmful UV radiation, and it is also capable of producing LED projections
that are reflected in the adjacent lake surface at night.

Figure 24: PV canopy in front of the

Fraunberg (GER) municipal offices

One of Austria’s first commercially used energy-plus building complexes can be found
at the Seestadt Aspern development in Vienna. Electricity for on-site use is generated
by a PV system which has been integrated into the building facade (see Figure 25) and
the roof structure, including eaves with projecting solar panels. The site comprises two
building complexes, Technology Centres 1 and 2.

Figure 23: Headquarters of the Pierre

Arnaud Foundation at Lac Louche,
Lens, Switzerland by night

The single-pitch flying roof at the Fraunberg municipal offices (see Figure 24) is a good
Figure 25: PV modules integrated into
example of PV roofing in a public space. The overhead structure between the L-shaped the facade of Technology Centre 2 at
building tracts provides a canopy that allows the space to be used as an assembly area. Seestadt Aspern

Figure 26: PV modules on the facade

of Technology Centre 1 at Seestadt
Aspern

Figure 27: PV modules mounted on

projecting eaves form a canopy on
the facade of Technology Centre 1 at
Seestadt Aspern

31 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 32 Technologies
 Free-standing photovoltaic systems Many different options for placement of PV arrays have become available, and land
use can continue as before when panels are mounted vertically or at a height of
PV systems need not always be installed on buildings; they can also be mounted on several metres. The PV modules can be either fixed in place or mounted on trackers
the ground, for example in car parks, on public land, in waiting areas, and many more that follow the sun.
sites besides. There are no limits to the designer’s imagination. With no pre-defined
building orientation to take into account, ground-mounted PV arrays can be more When the panels are placed in a single continuous line (as in Figure 31), agricultural
freely placed and aligned. They can also perform multiple functions, such as shading or use of the surrounding land can continue as before. The benefits are manifold: the
cooling in combination with power generation. solar panels shade the nearby ground, protecting the topsoil and crops against direct
solar irradiation (harmful UV radiation). Less water is needed, and the soil is protect-
PV systems can be used as canopies for public circulation and parking areas, such as ed against drying out.
traffic lanes, carports and bicycle parks, as shown in Figure 28. Carports with inte-
grated PV modules provide shade and generate electricity at the same time. PV systems may also be used as fencing, both on agricultural land (enclosures for
farm animals) and in private gardens.

Figure 31:
PV system on agricultural land,
Schafflerhofstrasse

Figure 32:
PV modules used as fencing

Figure 28: Bicycle park with glass-glass

Community PV systems
module roof
When several parties join forces to run a community PV system, they can move from
being exclusively buyers of electricity to being so-called "prosumers", using the self-
generated electricity to achieve a degree of self-sufficiency. Building owners and
tenants in residential buildings as well as operators of office blocks and shopping
centres stand to benefit from a communally run PV system, making full use of the
roof area available in each case.

Figure 29: Double-function PV system

on agricultural land, Schafflerhof-
strasse Participating in a community PV system
Figure 30: PV system in combination
with bee-keeping Every resident who wants to draw on the solar power generated by a community
PV system has to buy a share in the system. At least two or more parties have to
Installing PV systems on agricultural land may create a variety of synergy effects. participate. Before building the system, the parties have to make a solar power dis-
tribution agreement (with fixed or dynamic allocation).

33 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 34 Technologies
 The community PV system is installed alongside the power supply from the public grid. Outlook: Energy communities
As before, the parties can freely choose the utility from which they want to buy grid-
supplied electricity. All parties in the building are free to share in the community solar Taking community PV systems (multi-party power generation systems) a step further,
power. The parties have to appoint a system manager who acts as liaison with the grid the future will see the establishment of energy communities, specifically renewable
operator and power utilities. energy communities and citizens’ energy communities. As the relevant EU directives
(Renewable Energy Directive and Internal Market in Electricity Directive) are translated
into member states’ national legislation, they will promote the establishment of energy
There are several operating models for community PV systems. The list below presents communities that can act jointly across property boundaries and regionally, over a
the main options, which may be modified as required in practice. certain distance, to

generate
Model 1: PV system as infrastructure and “free-of-charge power” use
The property owner invests in a PV system and supplies the power to the store
residents (similar to a communal bicycle storage or laundry room). consume and
trade electricity,
and such energy communities may also own and operate grids of their own.
Model 2: Installation and utilisation by a residents’ association
Residents/property co-owners invest in a PV system and agree on its operation Energy communities will facilitate the local consumption of regionally generated power
and the allocation of the power output (e.g. through a residents’ association from renewable resources. Optimising each PV system for self-consumption will be less
established for this purpose). of a concern as soon as the electricity from a local system can be used in a community
that includes more than one building. This will ensure that existing potentials are most
efficiently harvested. With less power needed from the grid, the cost of grid tariffs will
Model 3: An external company installs the PV system and leases usage rights be reduced. The renewable power systems can thus be run economically while making
to the residents the most efficient use of available surfaces.
An external company makes the initial investment and operates the PV system;
the residents lease the right to a share of the power output.

Model 4: An energy utility builds and operates a PV system as single

power supplier
The PV system is built and run by an energy utility that supplies on- and off-
grid power to the residents.

Models 3 and 4 are a type of facility contracting.

Further information on community PV systems and standard contract forms are avail-
able (in German) on the community PV systems platform www.pv-gemeinschaft.at .

Figure 33: Schematic diagram of an

energy community

35 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 36 Technologies
 Costs of PV systems

The prices of photovoltaic systems have dropped significantly over the last few
years. The cost of installing a new system has come down by 50% since 2011. Specif-
ic costs are lower for bigger systems than for smaller ones. The payback period of
a PV system is shorter if more of the solar power generated is used on site, as this
means that the PV system owner has to buy less grid power from a utility and will
therefore pay less in tariffs and taxes. The cost of a ready-to-operate PV system
is currently €1,880 /kilowatt-peak, or €1,520/kilowatt-peak for larger systems.
Building-integrated PV systems, which are custom-designed for each project, entail
higher costs. The costs of PV systems also vary depending on the products built
into the system and the performance they offer.

Typical prices of 5kWpeak grid-connected PV systems

Range of PV system prices Figure 35: Self-produced electricity

Mean PV system price from a rooftop PV system can be used
4, 200
for a variety of purposes
Euro per kWpeak (net of VAT)

4,000 3,700

2,967
3,000 2,770 If a photovoltaic system is connected to the public grid, any surplus electricity can be
2,500
fed into the grid. The PV system operator receives payments for this power in the form
2,216 2,200 2,150
2,100
1,934 2,000 2,000 2,000 of feed-in tariffs. As feed-in tariffs are usually lower than the price of electricity from
2,000 1,752
1,800
1,658 1,645 1,621 1,567 1,568 1,506
the grid, it makes economic sense to use as much of your own solar power as possible.
1,600 1,650
1,400
To be able to feed electricity into the grid, the PV system operator has to conclude a
1,800
1,000 1,250 1,250 1,170 1,100 contract with an energy utility that will buy the solar power.
900

0 Stand-alone PV systems are not connected to the public grid and produce solar power
exclusively for on-site use. They are not usually found in cities, but are deployed in

2020
2014

2018
2016

2019
remote locations, such as mountain shelters.
2015
2012

2013

2017
2011

Figure 34: Prices of 5kWpeak grid-

connected PV systems (2011–2020)

Output of PV systems

Potential of photovoltaics PV systems in Austria generate 900 to 1,100 kilowatt hours (kWh) per kilowatt-peak
per year. A surface area of about 7 m² is required per kilowatt-peak.
The electricity produced by PV systems can be used for a variety of purposes. It can
power electrical fixtures and appliances in the building, but may also be used for all
types of e-mobility, as well as for hot water and heating systems. Any surpluses not
needed at the moment can be stored in a battery pack.

37 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 38 Technologies
 The annual power consumption of an average four-person household is about Energy payback period
4,000 kWh. So a photovoltaic system with four kilowatt-peak output produces
roughly the amount of solar power in a year which the household needs over the The energy payback period is the time for which a PV system has to operate until
same period. The size of this PV system would be 28 m². About 30% of the solar pow- its cumulative power output over time equals the energy expended in making and
er could be used directly in the building. The rest could be stored in a battery pack setting up the system. Typical energy payback periods in Vienna are 2 to 4 years for
for later use or fed into the grid. As electricity is increasingly used for heating (heat systems that use crystalline PV modules and 1 to 2 years for systems based on thin-
pumps, heating rods, electric water heating), cooling and transport, overall power film modules.
consumption is bound to rise despite more energy-efficient appliances. New build-
ings in particular are designed to require very little energy for heating. This can be
covered by a heat pump and a heating rod for water heating. The power to operate Service life
the equipment can be generated by a PV system.
Photovoltaic systems have a service life of over 25 years. The only exception are
inverters, which can be expected to function for about 10 to 15 years. The systems
have to be properly designed, correctly mounted and serviced at regular intervals to
90
achieve the best possible operating results.
70 %
75 %
80 %
70
85 %

90 % 2.2 Solar thermal systems

Tilt angle, in degrees

WEST
50 45-degree
tilt angle
Solar thermal systems transform solar radiation into heat, which is then used to supply
95 %
About 80 %
solar output hot water or support room heating systems. The basic elements of a solar thermal sys-
30 100 % tem are the solar collectors, pump, heat exchanger, and buffer storage tank or boiler.
SOUTH
15-degree
tilt angle

10 About 95 %
solar output How do solar thermal systems work?

-90 -70 -50 -30 -10 -10 -30 -50 -70 -90 The energy contained in the sun’s rays is collected and transformed into heat by the
EAST SOUTH WEST solar collectors. The central component of a solar collector is the solar absorber, which
Figure 36: The influence of orientation
and tilt angle on the annual solar power
Compass direction (orientation) contains a heat transfer liquid. This liquid, usually a mix of water and an antifreeze fluid,
output absorbs the heat and transports it to the heat exchanger. In the heat exchanger, the
heat energy is transferred to the buffer storage tank. The cooled-down liquid is then
pumped back into the collector, where the heating cycle starts again.
Orientation of a PV system

A PV system will produce its best performance when it is orientated towards the south, Components of a solar thermal system
with a tilt angle of about 30–40 degrees. Deliberately choosing east or west instead
of a southerly orientation may make sense in cases where the need for electricity is The components that are built into a solar collector vary according to collector type
highest in the morning and afternoon. East- or west-orientated systems may still reach (see the section on “Types of solar collectors” below). The following paragraphs
about 80–85% of the maximum possible output. To ensure optimum performance it describe the components of the most widely used glazed flat-plate collector (97% of
is much more important to prevent any shading of the modules by other buildings or collectors installed in Austria were glazed flat-plate collectors in 2018), the heat storage
trees, or soiling of the surface of the array. unit and the heat exchanger.

39 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 40 Technologies
 Structure of a solar collector EVACUATED TUBE COLLECTORS
The price per square metre of evacuated tube collectors is about triple that of unglazed
ABSORBER flat-plate collectors. The annual energy output is 450–650 kWh/m². Evacuated tube
The central component of a solar collector is the absorber. This is a metal sheet which collectors are suitable for very high working temperatures, but they can also be used to
catches the solar energy. It is usually made of copper or aluminium, with a dark coat- heat water and as auxiliary room heating systems. The absorber and the hydraulic system
ing. The absorber transfers the heat to a transfer liquid in copper or aluminium pipes are contained in evacuated glass tubes. The vacuum has a very strong insulating effect.
underneath the absorber, which are connected to the storage unit. Evacuated tube collectors may also be integrated into a building’s architectural design.
The benefit of such solutions is their additional functionality, for example as parapets
THERMAL INSULATION or shading elements.
To minimise solar energy losses, the collector is insulated with special solar glass on
the front; the rear insulation typically consists of mineral wool. Collectors are usually AIR COLLECTORS
contained in aluminium frameworks. Air collectors differ from the collector types described above in that the fluid that is
heated as it passes through the system is not water, but air. As air does not heat up
HEAT STORAGE UNIT AND HEAT EXCHANGER as readily as water, air collectors are not as well suited to running room heating or hot
A so-called buffer storage tank is used in most cases to store the water heated by the water supply systems. Their main application is drying of agricultural products. The
sun for days with no sunshine. Packed into at least 10 cm of insulating material, the warm air can be used to dry fruits, herbs, hay, wood chips and many other goods.
tank can conserve the collected heat for a few days. Storing heat through the winter
months requires a much larger seasonal storage tank with about 50 cm of insulation.
The heat exchanger, which transfers heat from the sun-warmed water cycle to the Options for installing a solar thermal system
building’s hot water system, is built into or, more rarely, onto the heat storage unit.
The collectors for a solar thermal system are usually mounted on the building roof. If
the roof is pitched, the collectors may be either mounted on top of it, with a gap of
Types of solar collectors 5−15 cm, or they may be integrated into the roof, replacing part of the actual roofing.
The latter, more complex option entails higher costs, but is more aesthetically pleasing
UNGLAZED FLAT-PLATE COLLECTORS in most cases. If the roof is flat, the collectors have to be mounted on racks. This allows
Unglazed flat-plate collectors are the most cost-efficient option in terms of produc- optimised pitch and orientation of the collectors, though care must be taken to avoid
tion and installation. They generate about 300 kWh/m² energy per year and are suit- mutual shading. The same applies to collectors mounted on the ground and used for
able for use in low-temperature systems. Ideal applications include water heating for district heating or industrial purposes.
swimming pools and pre-heating of water in building supply systems. They consist of
a bundle of plastic pipes or an absorber plate with a hydraulic system plus insulation When the system is mounted on a building, the collectors may also be integrated verti-
underneath. cally into the facade, with or without rear ventilation.

GLAZED FLAT-PLATE COLLECTORS

The price of glazed flat-plate collectors is about double that of unglazed flat-plate Costs and benefits of a solar thermal system
collectors. The annual energy yield is also higher, at about 400–600 kWh/m². Glazed
flat-plate collectors are the most widely used type in the European Union. They are Installing a solar thermal system for water and/or space heating requires expert ana-
deployed mainly for water heating and as an auxiliary heating technology. Glazed lysis and planning. The energy yield of the system varies over the winter and summer
flat-plate collectors consist of an absorber, a hydraulic system and insulation. The seasons. The system has to be designed for optimised utilisation of solar energy on
glass cover provides additional insulation between the absorber and the ambient air. both winter and summer days. A good compromise has to be found between the
capital investment needed to install the solar thermal system and the savings to be
had in terms of conventional energy costs.

41 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 42 Technologies
 On average, the energy needed for water heating in a three-person household is Most solar thermal systems are mounted at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees. However,
about 3,400 kWh per year. An average solar thermal system with a size of 6 m² ideal pitch depends on the intended use and the place where the system is installed.
and 400 kWh/m² annual energy output produces 2,400 kWh per year. This will be Collectors that are used to heat swimming pools are mounted at 0 to 30 degrees, those
enough to supply about 70% of the average amount of hot water needed per year by for water heating at 25 to 55 degrees, for auxiliary room heating at 50 to 70 degrees
a family of three. (suitable for catching the winter sun), and facade-mounted collectors are mounted at an
angle of 90 degrees to the ground. Design and installation by an experienced contractor
The total cost of a typical solar thermal system for water heating (6 m² collector is recommended to ensure maximum yields, with the goal of harvesting energy for direct
surface, 300-litre storage tank) comprises about €3,800 for the system, €500 for ad- use in periods of strong irradiation and storing surpluses for periods of less solar heat.
ditional materials needed and €1,500 for the installation. If the system is to be used
for water and space heating (15 m² collector surface, 1,000-litre storage tank), the
cost is about €8,100 for the system, €800 for additional material and €2,700 for the Energy payback period
installation. The exact numbers vary from system to system.
Solar thermal systems have a very short energy payback period. It takes them about
a year to produce an amount of energy equal to the energy input that went into the
Other applications production of the system.

PROCESS HEAT
Large solar thermal systems are capable of producing a significant part of the heat Service life
needed in industrial processes. They are more or less universally deployable in the low-
and medium-temperature range, and many companies are already using them to save According to the Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (SHC) of the International
money and reduce CO2 emissions. Energy Agency (IEA), solar thermal systems have a statistical service life of 25 years. In
practice, however, the systems tend to work for much longer.
DISTRICT HEATING
Large solar thermal systems can make an important contribution to the heat supply
of cities and smaller communities. With production costs of 4 to 6 eurocents per kWh,
solar district heating is generally a more cost-effective option than oil or gas.

Output of solar thermal systems

The combined surface area of all solar thermal collectors operating in Austria at year-end Figure 37: Roof-integrated collectors
2019 was 5 million m², corresponding to a rated output of about 3.5 GWth. The useful on a single-family home
heat output of the systems amounted to 2,081 GWh. This translates into a reduction of Figure 38: Rack-mounted rooftop
CO2 emissions by 353,713 tonnes per year. collectors

To harvest as much solar energy as possible, collectors are precisely orientated towards
the south. However, deviations of up to 45 degrees towards south-east or south-west
are possible without major heat losses. Orientation is also a determining factor for a
system’s output and the required collector size. The farther a collector faces away from
due south, the bigger it has to be to yield an equal amount of heat.

43 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 44 Technologies
 2.3 Hybrid collectors 2.4 Greening of buildings, a contribution to green
Hybrid collectors, or photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collectors, combine solar thermal
infrastructure
and photovoltaic technology to cogenerate both electricity and heat. A PVT collector
is basically a PV module with piping fixed to its rear side, in which transfer fluid carries The deteriorating microclimate of our cities is something we are all experiencing first-
heat to a buffer storage tank. In purely PV systems, only a part of the solar radiation hand. More and more frequent heatwaves in the last few years are causing increased
intercepted by the PV modules is transformed into electrical power. A large part be- mortality among vulnerable groups, especially elderly people with restricted mobility
comes heat, which remains unused. and children. Austria has reached a point where deaths caused by excessive heat are
believed to outnumber traffic-related deaths. These developments have been caused,
Hybrid (PVT) collectors harvest this heat and carry it to a buffer storage tank. As a re- among other things, by the spread of sealed, heat-conserving surfaces in combination
sult, the PV cells do not heat up so much, and output increases. PV modules work most with insufficient air movement. The difference in temperature levels between urban
efficiently at about 25 degrees Celsius; when temperatures rise above this level, effi- areas with their growing proportion of sealed surfaces and the surrounding region has
ciency drops at a rate of about 0.5% for each one-degree increment. In contrast, PVT been described in the City of Vienna’s Urban Heat Island Strategy. Strategic greening
collectors create a synergy effect that enhances efficiency per size unit by cogener- with vegetation has been recognised as an effective means of climate change adapta-
ating electricity and heat from the same surface area. The diagram below shows the tion. In densely built-up urban areas, vegetation on the exterior surfaces of buildings
systems side by side for comparison. Given the similarity in design, the life expectancy is an important contribution to the city’s green infrastructure. It adds to the visual
of PVT collectors is about the same as for PV modules and solar collectors. appeal of the cityscape and is an effective way of using hitherto unused surfaces. The
following section discusses green roofs and vertical greening systems.

PV PV ST PVT What is the impact of greening on the immediate environment?

The deployment of green infrastructure in the city has an important role to play in
many aspects of proactive urban development policies, both with respect to new
20 urban developments and the existing built environment.2

20.28 MWhth

20.28 MWhth
7.53 MWhel

7 MWhel
GREEN OUTDOOR AIR-CONDITIONING
2.44 Mwhel

In contrast to sealed surfaces – asphalt, concrete, glass and mineral surfaces, among
10
others – vegetation-covered surfaces provide an active cooling infrastructure. While
the temperature on sealed surfaces may climb to 70 degrees Celsius and even higher
on summer days, the surfaces of plant leaves hardly heat up to more than ambient
MWh air temperature. Vegetation also produces shaded areas. Water evaporates from the
40 m2 PV modules 13 m2 PV modules + 40 m2 PVT modules plant leaves and planting medium, cooling the surrounding air. The cooler air sinks to
PV = 188 kWhel /m2 27 m2 solar thermal PVT = 507 kWhth /m2 the ground, where it heats up again. As the heated air rises, the cycle starts over again.
Th = 760 kWhth /m2 175 kWhel /m2 The “latent” heat in this cycle is not perceptible, but is transformed to perceptible heat
in the condensation process. The cooling effect of evaporation from plants continues
Electricity Heat 2
Pfoser N. et al. (2013): Gebäude,
Figure 39: Annual energy output of PV, Begrünung und Energie: Potenziale
through the night as well. This has the effect of keeping the ambient air around a
solar thermal and hybrid collectors und Wechselwirkung. Interdiszipli- building cooler.
närer Leitfaden als Planungshilfe zur
Nutzung energetischer, klimatischer
und gestalterischer Potenziale RAINWATER RETENTION
sowie zu den Wechselwirkungen von
Gebäude, Bauwerksbegrünung und
Deployed for rainwater management purposes, even sparsely vegetated green roofs are
Gebäudeumfeld. capable of holding back up to 90% (annual mean) of the total amount of precipitation.

45 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 46 Technologies
 With special designs and intensive roof greening, even 100% rainwater retention is pos-
Venti-
sible, including the efficient retention of stormwater after heavy rainfalls. The rainwater Needs Temperature Light
lation
is taken up by the plants, and either stored or given off through evaporation. Because
green roofs prevent immediate stormwater run-off and release the water over time,
they are much more efficient than conventional roofs in reducing stormwater flow to
Action taken
the sewer system. Moreover, greywater may become usable thanks to innovative green
roof and facade systems. Green roofs could, for example, function as water filters, and
the filtered water could be used to flush toilets inside the building.

Adiabatic cooling Heat storage, Outside shading Air preconditioning

buffer effect for natural/con-
WELL-BEING AND BIODIVERSITY trolled ventilation

Greening buildings improves thermal comfort, helps to purify ambient air and mitigates
noise, thus promoting human well-being and contributing to a healthier environment
and enhancing quality of life. This leads to greater productivity and contentment, Effects of + Shading and
evaporation by plants
+ Reduction of
building shell
+ Shading protects
against glare
+ Air purification
+ Air humidification
increases the recreational value of the urban environment and even reduces time spent exterior prevents building heat losses + Functions of technical + Cooling of air inflow
surfaces/interior + Reduced wind systems taken over in summer
building spaces/absorbers pressure by plants
on sick leave.
greening from heating up + Translucent,
depending on
selected plants
Another major role of vegetation on the exterior surfaces of buildings is that it helps to
Cooling cost Reduction of Reduced primary Auxiliary system for/
preserve and improve biodiversity. Green roofs and facades are valuable stepping-stone Savings savings heat transfer energy needs, savings replacement of
biotopes at a safe distance from the pesticides and herbicides that are used in agri- Benefits on maintenance of
technical systems
air-conditioning
systems
culture. When implemented as part of an urban ecological strategy, they can provide
diverse habitats for endangered species such as wild bees, butterflies and birds.
Materials
Electrical
Needs energy
Water lifecycle
assessment

Quality of the nearby environment Action taken

Bio- UV
∆T
diversity
Spatial
design Green energy Greywater puri-
fication and use
Carbon footprint

Cooling
Air
Noise
quality
mitigation Effects of + Increase in efficiency
of technical systems
+ Tap water savings
+ Cooling
+ Carbon sequestration
+ O2 production
exterior + Support for active + Pollutant filter + Reduction of energy
and passive energy + Design feature needs
building harvesting + Particle filter
greening + Protection of building
components, prolon-
gation of their service

Water retention
life

Efficiency increase of Savings depend on Savings on

Savings PV systems, savings the system deployed roofing/facade
Figure 40: Benefits of greening build- Figure 41: Benefits of greening at the Benefits on energy for cooling,
harvesting of biomass
materials, longer
service life
ings at the level of the city level of the building

47 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 48 Technologies
 BENEFITS AT THE LEVEL OF THE BUILDING Green roofs
The greening of buildings creates benefits not only for the city and society as a whole,
but also at the level of the individual building: vegetation has a positive effect on Which types of green roof systems are there?
temperatures on the building envelope and in the nearby environment. Synergies can
be used in terms of natural ventilation, energy production, efficient water use, shad- The main difference in green roof types is between extensive and intensive (deep-
ing and the durability of materials. More specifically, a greened outer shell prolongs soil) greening. Both types are described in detail in the City of Vienna’s green roof
the life of the building because the vegetation acts as a temperature buffer, protect- guidance Leitfaden für Dachbegrünung (2020) and the relevant Austrian Standard
ing materials physically and mitigating the effects of extreme weather conditions. ÖNORM L 1131 (2010) on green roofs. The documents specify regulatory requirements
with respect to green roofs, including certification of the different layers and overall
The plants protect the building against solar irradiation, hail and rain. At the same structure. Green roofs differ in thickness, weight, functionality and plant communities.
time, the vegetation enhances the value of the property. Plants store CO2 , produce They can be installed on flat or pitched roofs and may have a single- or multi-layer
oxygen, filter fine particle dust from the air and reduce the building’s energy require- structure. Depending on the roof’s intended functions, a green roof system may
ment, improving lifecycle assessments and carbon footprint. be installed on the whole or part of the roof surface and may also be designed as a
hybrid system, i.e. a combination of different types in terms of thickness and habitat
Adiabatic cooling (shading and evaporation chill prevent the building from heating up) structure. A connection to the water supply system is required for an intensive green
and high-quality insulation help to reduce the operating cost of heating and cooling roof and recommended for an extensive system. In addition to primary horticultural
systems. As regards heat insulation in winter, measurements on an ivy-covered wall work – planting and initial care until plants are established – a green roof also requires
have shown a temperature difference of 3°C between the outer leaves and the wall regular care and maintenance.
surface.3 Using plants effectively as a natural shading element will reduce the amount
of primary energy needed by a building. Well-planned and properly tended vegeta- The minimum thickness of a lightweight, extensive green roof is 8 cm. Low-growing
tion also incurs lower maintenance costs than technical solutions for shading on the plant species, including succulents, mosses, herbs and grasses, dominate the picture.
3
Bartfelder, F. and Köhler, M. Experi-
outside of a building. Deciduous plants shed their leaves in winter so that sunlight Extensive green roofs require little care. As this type of green roof is not usually used
mentelle Untersuchungen zur Funktion can pass through. Because the air around a greened building is preconditioned by the by humans, it provides a valuable habitat for plants and animals. Its weight is 80 to
von Fassadenbegrünungen, Berlin:
PhD thesis, Technische Universität
improved ambient microclimate, natural ventilation becomes possible again, minimi- 150 kg/m². An extensive green roof can easily be combined with a solar installation
Berlin, 1987 sing the need for air-conditioning. (see Chapter 3).

Considering the growing amounts of energy required to operate buildings and the
challenges ahead as a result of climate change, which will further drive up energy
consumption, a number of measures will have to be taken, ranked by priority as
follows. First of all, educational efforts are needed to bring about changes in user be-
haviour. At the same time, passive strategies – including thermal insulation and shad-
ing of buildings – have to be pursued to reduce energy consumption, and building
environments have to be actively cooled by vegetation to allow natural ventilation.
Additionally, active strategies have to be implemented as needed. These include the
decentralised generation of energy from renewable resources, helped by greenery min.
on and around buildings. Suitable combinations of photovoltaics and solar thermal
8 cm min.
energy will increase the overall efficiency of solar technology and contribute mean-
20 cm
ingfully to preserving and enhancing biodiversity through the creation of habitats.
Figure 42: Intensive green
roof – structure

Figure 43: Extensive green

roof – structure

49 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 50 Technologies
 Intensive green roofs are at least 20 cm thick and heavier in weight. Depending on
the thickness of the substrate, a wide variety of plants can be grown, including trees,
which need a planting substrate of at least 80 cm and have to be protected against
strong winds. An intensive green roof may fulfil all the functions of a garden, or even Vegetation
a park, provided it receives sufficient care and is supplied with water as needed. It
can serve as a recreational space or a communal gardening area; people may use it
Planting medium
for sports or vegetable growing. The weight load of an intensive green roof is 300 to
1,000 kg/m². It may be combined with a solar energy system mounted on a pergola
Filter layer
(see Chapter 3).

Drainage and retention layer

Protective membrane/retention mat

Waterproofing (roof-sealing) membrane

Substructure
Figure 44: Extensive green roof on
Dresdner Strasse Figure 46: Typical green roof structure

Figure 45: Intensive green roof on

Favoritenstrasse

FILTER LAYER
The filter layer separates the planting layer from the drainage and retention layer. This
Components of a green roof prevents the drainage layer from becoming clogged with fine particles which could
otherwise be washed down from the planting layer. With the filter layer in place, the
VEGETATION fine particles, which are also important for the plant roots, are retained in the planting
Different plant communities, from ground-covering succulents to shrubs and trees, medium. The filter layer is made of a geotextile that is water-permeable and can be
may exist on a green roof, depending on substrate depth, available root space and care penetrated by plant roots. It has to keep its permeability for decades.
of the green roof. Initial greening may be done with seeds, cuttings, potted or baled
plants, or even pre-cultivated sod mats and turf. DRAINAGE AND RETENTION LAYER
The drainage and retention layer is designed to control stormwater runoff after heavy
PLANTING LAYER/MEDIUM rainfalls and acts as a reservoir for rainwater. It consists either of mineral (recycled) ma-
The planting medium provides space for the plant roots and stores water and nu- terials, prefabricated synthetic filling materials or material mixes with or without water
trients. Planting mediums that meet the relevant standards consist of mineral open- storage characteristics.
pore aggregates, such as hard-fired clay, expanded clay or shale, or recycled brick chip-
pings, which are mixed with organic materials (for example, quality-certified compost) PROTECTIVE MEMBRANE
in varying proportions. The share of organic material is low in extensive green roofs The protective membrane is a geotextile as specified in Austrian Standard
and high in intensive systems. Austrian Standard ÖNORM L 1131 contains a detailed ÖNORM L 1131. It protects the waterproofing membrane from damage during
description of the planting medium requirements (storage stability, pore air capacity, construction and after completion of the project.
water retention capacity, drainage effect, proportion of fines, etc.).

51 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 52 Technologies
 ROOT BARRIER
An additional root barrier is necessary if the waterproofing membrane itself does not
protect against root penetration. Standard root barriers consist of mechanically arranged
membrane layers.

WATERPROOFING MEMBRANE
The waterproofing (roof-sealing) membrane has to comply with the standard require-
ments and protect against root penetration. It is made of a bituminous membrane plus
a root barrier or consists of several layers of sealing membranes. The City of Vienna’s
rules for subsidies granted for green roof construction specify that the waterproofing
membrane has to be asbestos- and PVC-free. Waterproofing membranes containing
substances that inhibit root growth or are biocides as defined in the EU Biocidal Pro-
ducts Regulation (No. 528/2012) are not allowed in green roof systems and materials.
The root-barrier functionality of products has to be assessed pursuant to the relevant Figure 47: Biodiversity roof,
guideline of the Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau (FFL), Sargfabrik residential development

a German industry and research association in the field. A list of roof-barrier membranes
is published and annually updated by the Austrian industry association Verband für
Bauwerksbegrünung. GREEN ROOF OPTIONS

FLAT ROOFS ON NEW BUILDINGS

Roof designs that are suitable for greening Multi-storey residential buildings and major industrial complexes offer highly scalable
options for green roofs. In principle, any flat roof surface can be used to establish a
The following roof types are suitable for greening (regardless of roof pitch): green roof, with a wide variety of potential uses and benefits. The land use and de-
5
https://www.wien.gv.at/recht/
landesrecht-wien/rechtsvorschriften/
velopment plans of the City of Vienna can mandate greening of flat roofs. See relevant
Cold deck roof ........ ventilated double-skin design with load-bearing upper layer, html/b0200000.htm content of the development plans (Bebauungspläne) § 5 (4) k.5
single-skin design without thermal insulation
Warm deck roof ..... single-skin design with thermal insulation below the FLAT ROOFS ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
waterproofing layer When a flat roof is in need of renovation, the possibility of installing a green roof
* Please note: Water storage and Inverted roof ........... single-skin design with insulation above waterproofing* should always be considered. Existing gravel roofs in particular harbour great poten-
vapour permeability have to be
taken into account in the build-up of
Plus roof .................. a warm deck roof with additional inverted insulation on top of tial, as they are usually designed with sufficient load-bearing capacity for an extensive
an inverted roof, which needs to be the waterproofing membrane green roof. In some specific areas of Vienna, this is prescribed by regulatory mandate.
adjusted accordingly. Inverted roofs
are always constructed as multi-layer
(to be treated in the same way as an inverted roof)
systems. RETENTION ROOF – A SPECIAL TYPE OF FLAT ROOF
Retention roofs are capable of holding large quantities of stormwater runoff from
In principle, roofs are capable of being greened regardless of their pitch. Standard- heavy rainfall events, effectively reducing the workload of sewer systems. State-of-
compliant greening is possible on roofs with pitches of between 1.8% (1-degree pitch) the-art retention roof technologies include regulator systems for controlled water
and 58% (30-degree pitch). Roofs with a pitch of 9% or more require slippage or thrust accumulation. We expect the number of completely flat (zero-degree) roofs to grow in
protection to prevent the root barrier and waterproofing layer from slipping, those future as a result of the improvements made in stormwater management and because
4
Austrian Standard ÖNORM L 1131,
with 26% or more have to be protected against slippage of the entire construction (see of the favourable microclimatic effects to be had.
“Garden design and landscaping Chapter 5.5, Planning aids and tools from the various specialist fields). Green roofs out-
– green building roofs – design,
installation and maintenance re-
side this pitch range are special engineering projects with highly stringent demands in PITCHED ROOFS
quirements” terms of professional planning and construction.4 Extensive greening is possible on pitched roofs (standard-compliant solutions up to
30 degrees), with slippage/thrust protection required for slopes of 9 or more degrees.

53 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 54 Technologies
 BIODIVERSITY ROOFS Components of vertical greening systems
Extensive or semi-intensive green roofs may be designed specifically to create near-
natural spaces. Dedicated to biodiversity in terms of habitats and species, these roof Different system components are needed, depending on the vertical greening
system variants contain a broad variety of structures (planting media, deadwood, system that has been selected based on suitability for a specific facade and greening
rocks, nest boxes, temporary water surfaces, etc.). Existing green roofs can be modified objectives. They comprise plants, growing media, plant support systems, supply
to create a biodiversity roof. technologies, etc.

Greening of facades
Shelf system Modules Green/living wall
Facades that are suitable for greening

The requirements which facades have to meet depend on the desired outcome. Facade
type is a constraint on vertical greening projects and determines the choice of green-
ing system in both new-build and existing buildings.

Among facades suitable for greening, these are the three types most often found in
Austria: Self-clinging Trellis Mixed form

1. Composite thermal wall insulation systems

2. Solid brick or concrete walls
3. Rear-ventilated cladding

In existing structures, suitability for greening has to be determined by an expert on

a case-by-case basis. In addition to load-bearing aspects, the surface characteristics
have to be considered, as some surfaces (e.g. sandy/crumbling or highly reflective Figure 48: Different forms of
surfaces) are unsuitable or present major difficulties for greening. vertical greening

Which types of vertical greening systems are there? Ground-bound vegetation

The different technical approaches to facade greening are regulated by guidance If the ground next to the wall offers enough space for plant roots, ground-bound vege-
published by the City of Vienna, the Leitfaden der Stadt Wien für Fassadenbegrünung tation is usually the most cost-effective facade greening solution. The ground should
(2020), and Austrian Standard ÖNORM L 1136 (2021), including certification of vertical thus be examined and soil conditioning carried out where needed. The design should
greening systems. Green facades differ in terms of system build-up, weight, functiona- ensure that plants receive enough water, either by supplying rainwater to them or via
lity and plant communities. The main types are ground-bound systems with climbing an irrigation system. The root space size requirements are determined by the greening
plants, mixed systems based on containers, and wall-bound vertical greening systems. objective, the plant species and the envisaged height of the vegetation cover. A mini-
The vegetation consists either of climbing plants or, in the case of living walls, grasses, mum depth of 60 cm and a minimum volume of 1 m³ per plant are advisable.
herbs and herbaceous perennials. In addition to primary horticultural work – planting
and initial care until plants are established – a green facade also requires regular care Climbers can either be self-clinging, such as Virginia creeper, or require a support
and maintenance work. structure.

55 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 56 Technologies
 Different support structures are in use, depending on the growth patterns of the elements. The load-bearing characteristics have to be specified taking into account the
plants and whether or not they have adhesive organs. There are more than 20 different plant type (weight, climbing patterns), maintenance intervals and additional loads that
species of climbers in Austria, some of which may grow to heights of up to 30 m. have to be expected (e.g. wind, snow).

Plants in containers

If ground root space is not available or if the selected plant species cannot be expect-
ed to grow to the desired height from the ground, root space has to be created in
front of the facade. The containers used for this purpose must be made of materials
suited to long-term use (e.g. fibre cement, mineral wool composite, high-strength
concrete, metal, etc.) and capable of being recycled. Requirements in terms of ma-
terial properties have to be taken into account. The technical specifications include
frost, UV and fire resistance, stability against external mechanical forces and van-
dalism. Additionally, ecological criteria (such as regional production, short transport
routes) should be applied.

When containers are used as planter boxes, the planting substrate has to be as dur-
able and structurally stable as in a green roof. This is why it is typically built up in a
layered structure. If water can accumulate in the container, this helps to supply water
to the plants as needed and save on overall water consumption.
Figure 49: Ground-bound facade
greening, Kandlgasse

A range of different support structures are in use, such as cables, mesh or trellises.
Important aspects to consider are how the system is fixed to the wall (minimising pe-
netration), load-bearing characteristics, and that it has to match the growth pattern of
the plants (twining, attaching by tendrils, etc.). This will ensure a pleasant appearance
of the greened facade. Green vegetation curtains may also serve as external shading

Self-clinging Plants that require support structures

Figure 50: Different climbing Figure 51: Facade greening with climb-
strategies of climbing plants ing plants in containers, Zedlitzhalle

57 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 58 Technologies
 Where to use vertical greening

Large-scale vertical greening is potentially possible on nearly all facade types, both
on new and existing buildings. An examination of relevant site conditions will reveal
potential benefits, such as the replacement of technical external shading solutions or
optimisation of energy efficiency, as well as constraints, e.g. fire safety requirements,
in a timely manner.

If self-clinging plants are to be used on an existing facade, this first has to be examined
to ensure that it is structurally intact. Separator bars can be used to prevent self-clinging
plants from growing onto neighbouring buildings, roof structures or windows. Some
producers of composite thermal wall insulation systems are already designing and of-
fering systems specifically for vertical greening. Special considerations apply regarding
climbers with shoots that turn away from the light (e.g. ivy). They may grow into the
space behind ventilated walls or underneath windowsills, cracking open the structu-
res. The same is true of twining plants with similar characteristics that are trained on
structural supports. Particular care is necessary when existing facades have external
technical shading installations which could be damaged by plants pushing underneath
Figure 52: Wall-bound vertical
greening system, Municipal
and eventually bursting the structure.
Department 48

The orientation of the facade also plays a role in greening. Climate conditions on east-
and west-facing facades are much more moderate than on north- and south-facing
Wall-bound vertical greening system walls. On north-facing walls, plants have to make do with less natural sunlight. On the
south side, they are exposed to hot and dry conditions and need much more water as
Structurally speaking, any wall-bound greening system, also called a green wall, living a consequence. Suitable plant communities can be selected for all orientations and
wall, or vertical garden, is a rear-ventilated mounted facade. Water-bearing levels are greening objectives (see Chapter 3). This has to be done in the context of professional
separated from the building. The plants receive water and nutrients as needed from project design. Likewise, planting and ongoing care also require professional expertise.
automated irrigation and nutrient-supply systems. Suitable plantings range from The substructure and system components of a vertical greening project have to be
intensive vertical gardens with flowering ornamental shrubs to flower meadows with adjusted to the type of greening to be implemented.
a more extensive look. In most cases, this type of vertical greening also functions as
insulation and protective cladding for the building. Its significant microclimatic effect
is based on evaporation chill from the plants and the growth medium. Costs of roof and facade greening

In systems of a certain size, the installation of sensors and self-learning control The factors determining implementation and maintenance costs are: project size, ma-
systems is recommended to ensure optimum water and nutrient supply as needed. terials used, presence/absence of connections to electricity and water supply, as well
Control systems must be housed in a frost-free utility room and accessible for main- as accessibility, which in turn determines the use of elevating work platforms and other
tenance work. equipment, industrial climbers, and integrated maintenance systems. Project planning
costs are typically 5−15% of the total project realisation cost.

59 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 60 Technologies
 PRICES OF GREEN ROOF SYSTEMS (ÖNORM L 1131 ASI 2010) 2.5 Buildings and neighbourhoods
for a sustainable future
Cost of extensive roof greening (thickness 8 cm or more) 25 to 50 Euro/m2

Cost of intensive roof greening (12–30 cm or more) 50 to 100 Euro/m2 Each building has to be considered in the wider context of its surrounding neighbour-
hood. Mutual shading, smart grid systems and microclimatic effects are factors that
Cost of solar green roof/PV green roof system (green roof
Table 1: Indicative price ranges for
from 65 Euro/m2 will influence future project plans and designs. Climate protection and adaptation to
installation plus solar PV system racking, without modules)
the realisation of building greening climate change are taking on ever greater importance. As we tap into local resources,
projects by professional contractors,
compliant with Austrian ÖNORM
Professional care and maintenance of Depending on working conditions, we need to maximise active and passive harvesting of solar energy. This means that the
standards, net of VAT (as of 2019) extensive and intensive green roofs 55 to 100 Euro/hour placement of buildings relative to each other should be optimised to reduce the energy
needed for heating in winter and cooling in summer; moreover, facades and roofs
The price ranges are indicative, based on 1,000 m2 projects. Pitched green roofs require should be used to generate electrical energy (in photovoltaic systems) and heat (in
slippage protection, in line with the angle of pitch. solar thermal systems). As the surface area of a city is limited, available surfaces have to
be utilised effectively to raise energy supply efficiency and contribute to decarbonisa-
Care and maintenance work on extensive green roofs that is carried out according to tion while minimising the urban heat island effect.
the relevant standards is comparable to that on gravel roofs in terms of intervals and
the extent of work needed. The standard differentiates between primary horticultural
work – planting and initial care until plants are established – and ongoing care and
maintenance. Design quality has an important influence on the extent of care required
for intensive green roofs.

PRICES OF VERTICAL GREENING SYSTEMS (ÖNORM L 1131)

* Relevant cost factors in greening
projects using climbing plants Cost of ground-bound facade greening*
are: whether or not scaffolding is 50 to 500 Euro/m2
(climbers with or without support structures)
needed for the installation of the
system; which type of system (with
or without plant support structures) Cost of facade greening with climbing plants in containers on
250 to 800 Euro/m2
is used; and whether plumbing work the ground* (climbers with or without support structures)
is required/included in the contract.
Design qual-ity has an important Cost of wall-bound vertical greening systems
influence on the extent of care requi- 500 to 1,500 Euro/m2
(green or living walls – herbs, grasses, herbaceous shrubs)
red for vertical greenery.

Care and maintenance (at 2- to 5-year intervals) of ground-

Table 2: Indicative price ranges for and wall-bound facade greening systems (depending on the
10 to 50 Euro/m2 per year
the realisation of building greening selected plants, ease of access, technical equipment, e.g.
projects by professional contractors, sensors and control system)
net of VAT (as of 2019)

Figure 53: Research project

GRÜNSTADTKLIMA

61 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 62 Technologies
 A future-proof building ...

generates a part of the electricity and heat it needs and can supply them to other
buildings as well;
is capable of storing surplus energy and can cope with peak loads, running on
locally stored energy for a certain time;
can thus serve external energy networks (power grid or district heating
networks), ensuring its own economically viable operation;
uses multi-day market and weather forecasts for its control systems;
is adjusted to summer/climate change conditions (temperature, greening,
ventilation);
is capable of storing or using locally generated heat and cold at the same time;
is designed and engineered to meet realistic heating and cooling requirements
(no cumulative addition of safety margins);
reduces losses in hot water distribution;
makes optimum use of local CO2-free resources and waste heat;
combines building greening and solar technology (to raise output, among
other things);
makes use of local and biodiverse seed mixes and habitat structures (to enhance
biodiversity);
incorporates new uses and operations (vegetable farming, biomass, water treat-
ment, greywater, recirculating systems);
deploys climbing plants for external shading, replacing technical shading sys-
tems, and/or for rear greening/cooling of PV facades; root spaces may also be
housed in unused parts of the building (e.g. cellar);
integrates building greening in the building’s energy performance certificate
and building information modelling (BIM);
employs efficient control and supply systems that use sensor technology and
cloud-based data storage;
relies on robots and drones for monitoring and care of the system.
(The first robotic lawnmower for solar green roofs, which is also able to prune
small shrubs, is currently being tested in Switzerland. Its integrated camera sys-
tem recognises structural elements that support biodiversity, so that the robot
can move around them. The robotic lawnmower is powered by renewable ener-
gy and is directly connected to the solar PV system. The first pilot project with
trial runs of robots and drones in monitoring and care functions was conducted
in Austria in 2019 under the Stadt der Zukunft (City of the Future) programme.
The results indicate that further developments can be expected in this area.)

63 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems
3

Combined
options
and usage
synergies

65 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 66 Technologies
 3.1 Solar technology 3.2 Combined solutions and model projects
and green roofs/vertical greening systems Side-by-side arrangement of solar modules and greening
on roofs and facades
To make the shift away from fossil fuels, we need to place a greater focus on innovative
solutions such as green roofs with integrated solar PV and/or solar thermal systems The simplest arrangement is to place the solar collectors and the green roof or verti-
and facades with integrated solar energy systems, either with or without additional cal greening system on adjacent surfaces (see Figure 55). This provides unhindered
greenery. Expert planning, installation and maintenance are required to ensure smooth access to both the plants and the solar panels. Provided there is a suitable distance
functioning of the synergy between building greening and solar technology (further between the surfaces, all types of vegetation can be used. However, it is necessary
information in Chapter 5). This chapter describes the various options for combining to ensure a clear structural divide between the surfaces to prevent the vegetation
solar PV and/or solar thermal systems and green roofs/vertical greening systems that from encroaching upon the respective solar installation (e.g. climbing plants like ivy
are state of the art as of 2020. spreading behind solar panels); see Chapter 5 for detailed information. A synergy
can be created by using the non-greened surfaces of the roof to collect rainwater
for irrigation of the plants. However, this approach is not geared to multiple usage of
Options for combining solar technology every square metre of space and thus can only exploit the synergy potentials of the
and green roofs/vertical greening systems combination to a limited extent.

These days there are multiple different approaches to combining solar technology
and green roofs/vertical greening systems (see Figure 54). Besides the straightfor-
ward side-by-side arrangement, the green surfaces and solar PV modules can, of
course, be installed one above the other. Here a distinction is made between confi-
gurations where the vegetation and solar modules are a short distance apart (min.
20 cm), and those where they are farther apart (over 2 m). In the latter case, the solar
technology element (usually photovoltaic panels) is installed as a kind of pergola,
thus providing protection against the weather and acting as a design feature in out-
door amenity spaces (e.g. roof gardens – see Figure 57). Solar modules can also be
mounted vertically on the facades of buildings, or as a bi-facial vertical array on green
roofs. The various combinations and factors to be considered in detail in each case
are described in the following pages.

Figure 55: GrünAktivHaus

"Layered" combination with solar modules raised > 20 cm above

a green roof
side > 20 cm bi-facial > 200 cm facade-
by side apart configuration apart integrated Pilot project: Studies show that the most commonly used method at present is to in-
Figure 54: Options for combining
solar technology and green roofs/
stall the solar array over the green roof leaving a clearance of > 20 cm (see Figure 54),
vertical greening systems a combination that creates added value by enhancing plant and animal biodiversity.

67 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 68 Combined options and usage synergies
 Effects on plants, wildlife and solar technology Plants evaporate water vapour through their leaves, a process for which they absorb
energy from their environment. This effect is known as evapotranspiration, and
The installation of PV modules and/or solar thermal systems on green roofs creates it results in so-called evaporation chill. This means that given an adequate water
additional partial shade, which results in longer water retention and thus has a supply, the rooftop temperature of green roofs barely rises above the ambient air
proven positive impact on plant growth (Schindler et al., 2018). Since not all plant temperature. A lower ambient temperature improves the performance of the photo-
species can tolerate shade, special care must be taken to choose suitable plants. voltaic modules on green roofs, so the evaporation chill produced by plants and their
Furthermore, the study conducted by Köhler et al. (2007) affirms that the installation substrates can increase the output of PV systems by up to 4% (Brach et al., 2015). If
of PV modules on a green roof has a positive effect on plant biodiversity. Another the solar panels are placed too close to the vegetation, however, air circulation and
positive effect is the improvement of conditions for local wildlife. The photovoltaic thus the evaporation chill effect will be limited. The minimum clearance between
and/or solar thermal modules create new niches and hidden corners which serve as solar modules and greenery must be maintained anyway to ensure rear ventilation of
habitats for all kinds of different animal species. The use of suitable materials auto- the PV array.
matically creates structures that enhance biodiversity. Research published by Zurich
University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) (Brenneisen et al., 2015) shows that this kind The PV modules cause fluctuations in the air flow, creating small areas of turbu-
of green roof creates an excellent habitat for insects and an excellent microhabitat lence in some parts of the roof and calm areas in others. These different air currents
for specialised plant species. In accordance with the Swiss specifications for green affect the evaporation of water from plants and/or the soil and hence also the
roofs with solar technology, biodiversity features are placed on parts of the roof ambient temperature. This gives rise to multiple different microclimates that meet
that are not suitable for photovoltaic installations. In certain areas, for instance, the the needs of a biodiverse range of flora. The right choice of plants is essential.
substrate is raised to a depth of 30 cm to form small hillocks. Deadwood and sand,
temporary water features and varied substrates can also be added to meet the habi-
tat requirements of a range of different species. Technology and maintenance

A further advantage of installing PV systems and solar technology on green roofs is

that the weight of the substrate and the vegetation layer anchors down the photo-
voltaic modules. The PV modules do not need to be attached to the roof structure,
thus avoiding penetration of the roof membrane and preventing any insulation or
moisture leaks and formation of thermal bridges. Ballasted mounting of the PV panels
in the drainage/retention layer of the green roof also provides protection from wind
uplift. Extensive vegetation is the only type that should be installed beneath the solar
PV array. High-growing vegetation is undesirable here, and the nutrient content of
the substrate needs to be reduced accordingly.

To ensure that the plants receive adequate sunlight, the photovoltaic modules are
mounted on special racking to leave a minimum clearance of 20 cm between the
module and the upper surface of the substrate, the actual distance depending on the
system used, the tilt angle of the PV panels and the wind load. Special attention must
be paid to the wind load if the above requires the modules to be positioned farther
apart and/or at a steeper tilt.

A pebble strip is laid in front of the PV array to prevent unwanted shading of the
panels by vegetation growth and provide maintenance access. Rainwater falling onto
Figure 56: East-west orientation of
the PV modules runs off into the pebble strip. The water is then channelled under-
PV modules neath the modules via either a gradient or a capillary mat to allow plants to thrive in
these areas.

69 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 70 Combined options and usage synergies
 The pebble strip requires regular maintenance and must be kept free of unwanted MODEL PROJECT: THE PV ROOFTOP GARDEN OF THE FUTURE –
vegetation. The latest findings show that an east-west layout with rainwater run-off FROM RESEARCH TO PRACTICE
in the middle and maintenance access to the rear of the panels is the best option. At the start of this research project, a prototype was constructed on an unused roof
Placing the modules in this "butterfly" configuration allows the distance between the terrace at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU)
modules to be kept to just 0.5 cm, so no plants can grow up between the panels but with input from a multidisciplinary team of experts from academia and the business
rainwater can still run off through the narrow gap. community. The photovoltaic pergola with integrated semi-transparent glass-glass
PV modules provides shade while simultaneously producing solar electricity and of-
fering a spacious amenity area with a relaxed atmosphere for outdoor work and/or
Layered combination with photovoltaic system placed > 200 cm recreation. The PV system delivers an annual power output of around 5,800 kWh,
above greenery in roof garden or other outdoor space with all the generated electricity being used directly on site. This kind of multiple-
use solution creates synergies between uses that would usually compete for the
This variant with the photovoltaic panels mounted > 200 cm above the rooftop (see same surface area. In this case, for instance, the beds under the PV pergola are used
Figure 58) allows a threefold use of the space combining solar technology, green roof to grow vegetables and herbs for the institute‘s canteen.
and amenity space for people. The pergola structure incorporating semi-transparent
PV modules is ballasted by the weight of the (non-penetrating) intensive green roof
system. Rainwater is used to irrigate the plants and the space in the shade of the PV
pergola can be used by people throughout the season. As well as being an amenity
space, the roof garden also serves as a productive space. The PV pergola provides
valuable shade, while the semi-transparent panels create optimum conditions for
plant growth. This solution can be retrofitted in existing buildings as well as integra-
ted into new-build projects.

Figures 58 + 59: PV roof garden on the

new TÜWI Building at the University of
Natural Resources and Life Sciences,
Vienna (BOKU)

Thanks to the positive experiences gathered during the research project, a further
PV roof garden has meanwhile been installed on another building at the University of
Natural Resources and Life Sciences. Similar solutions are under development for use
outside the university in residential environments.

Combination of bi-facial PV modules and green roof

This approach to combining greening of buildings with power generation is based

on the latest research from Switzerland. The Solarspar Association and the Zurich
University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) are working on a pilot project to optimise
combined solar PV/green roof solutions. The ongoing research focuses on double-
sided solar panels, placed upright on a green roof, which can produce electricity from
both morning and evening sunlight (see Chapter 2). The PV modules are mounted in
Figure 57: PV roof garden the drainage/reservoir layer of the green roof, ballasted and anchored in place by the

71 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 72 Combined options and usage synergies
 substrate and vegetation. The east-west orientation of the panels means that energy
production is spread out over the entire day.

To maximise reflection of the solar irradiation, the roof has been planted with an
extensive system of silver-leaved plant species such as thyme and white rock rose,
interspersed with white ornamental gravel, which has increased the albedo effect
and boosted output by 16%.

The upright vertical configuration of the panels produces a higher wind load, which Figure 61: Solar PV with vertical
can be counterbalanced by increasing the depth of the substrate layer. With this greening system

arrangement there is no risk of loss of output due to shading by plants, except in Figure 62: Solar PV with vertical
exceptional cases. At the same time, it ensures that 80% of the annual rainfall is re- greening system and green roof

tained, thus optimising the climate mitigation effect of the green roof. Rainwater runs
off in the centre, with a capillary mat to facilitate distribution of the water throughout
the substrate. Combination of photovoltaic system and vertical greening on the
same facade

Combined solar thermal system and green roof To mitigate heating of the PV modules and counteract any associated reduction in
power output, various types of vertical greening system can be installed behind the
The advantage of solar heating panels is that, unlike with photovoltaic modules, modules. The evaporation chill produced by the greenery cools down the heated
any shading caused by plants has hardly any effect on energy output. Otherwise PV modules, meaning that their performance can be increased by 4 –5% on very hot
the same basic prerequisites apply as for other combined systems. days (Pfoser, p.114 ff., 2018). The efficiency of the system depends on the right choice
of climbing plants and/or herbaceous perennials behind the solar modules, and on
ensuring sufficient light exposure for the plants. To avoid any damage to the PV ar-
ray, careful attention must also be paid to the growth characteristics of the climbing
plants (increase in girth through secondary growth, shoots that turn away from the
light). For these reasons, the number of suitable plant species is very limited.

Consideration must also be given to essential care and maintenance activities such as
removal of fallen leaves and pruning back of shoots, and maintenance access must be
ensured.

Figure 62 shows a combination of multifunctional vertical greening and green roof

systems. The TU Vienna research project was installed on a pre-war building in an
urban neighbourhood, currently used by a school. Semi-transparent photovoltaic
modules were integrated into the green roof as well as the vertical greening system.
6
https://nachhaltigwirtschaften.
The research findings from this project indicate that the thicker the growing medium/
at/de/sdz/projekte/gruenplusschule substrate layer, the more resilient the system, because it is then better able to com-
ballungszentrum-hocheffizientefass
aden-und-dachbegruenung-mit-
pensate for fluctuations in temperature. Wall-bound vertical greening systems reduce
photovoltaik-kombination-optimale- the thermal transmittance of a non-insulated facade, the degree to which they do this
loesung-fuer-die-energieeffizienzin
Figure 60: Vertical arrangement of gesamtoekologischerbetrachtung.php
being dependent on the rear ventilation openings and the surface area of the green-
bi-facial PV modules (in German) ery. On non-insulated buildings the U-value can be improved by as much as 20%.6

73 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 74 Combined options and usage synergies
 Combination of solar thermal and vertical greening system MODEL PROJECT: SOLAR-POWERED GREENED PETROL STATION, HUNGARY
This petrol station in Budapest, Hungary, shows how sustainable technologies can be
Direct solar irradiation and ambient temperature are the decisive factors affecting combined, incorporating a green wall, an extensive green roof and PV technology in
the performance of solar thermal systems. The smaller the difference in temperature the form of innovative "solar trees". The branches of the trees have integrated PV mod-
between the absorber and the surrounding air, the more effectively the absorber ules with a total surface area of 250 m2, producing almost 31,000 kWh of electricity per
works. The collectors of facade-mounted solar thermal systems cover most of the annum. The green roof and wall are irrigated with the help of rainwater harvested in
facade surface, so a greening system does not have such a pronounced effect as it cisterns. Originally greened with succulents, the roof and wall have now been planted
does on a roof. with a mix of herbs and grasses to replicate a natural wildflower meadow.

Other synergetic solutions

THE BUS SHELTER OF THE FUTURE – STEGERSBACH

STATION BY FONATSCH is an energy self-sufficient bus shelter incorporating an
extensive green roof. The synergy of economic and ecological plus points makes for
a sustainable concept with potential for upscaling. The PV installation powers the
shelter lighting as well as the integrated USB charging ports, WiFi point and e-bike
7
https://www.green4cities.com/
charging station. Recycled materials and succulents have been used for the extensive
?p=1900&lang=de (in German) green roof, though near-natural vegetation would also be an option.7

Figure 64: Greened petrol station in

Hungary powered by solar PV trees

Figure 63: Bus shelter in Stegersbach

with PV system and green roof

75 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 76 Combined options and usage synergies
4

Model projects

77 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 78 Technologies
4.1 Solar photovoltaics

Figure 66: PV wave roof, Rauris

Figure 65: Schönbrunn Giraffe Park

Schönbrunn Zoo – Giraffe Park PV wave roof, Rauris

Project type Restoration Location Rauris/Wörth, Austria
Location Schönbrunn Zoo, 1130 Vienna Year completed March 2014
Project/planning launch date January 2015 Construction costs €155,000 net + 20% VAT
Year completed April 2017 Ownership Province of Salzburg
Construction costs €7,000,000 net Building use Information point and interactive visitor centre of the Province of Salzburg Hohe Tauern National Park
Authority
Building use Giraffe park
Technology(ies) deployed Photovoltaic modules: Ertex Solartechnik, laminated safety glass; Inverter: SMA Tripower 7000TL;
Technology(ies) deployed Building-integrated photovoltaic panels (glass-glass modules with thin-film monocrystalline PV Electrical installations: HUBER+SUHNER
cells; 16.02 kWp and roof-mounted monocrystalline PV modules; 4.05 kWp) & solar thermal system
on the flat roof above the visitors‘ area (14 m2, 10 kW) Total photovoltaic capacity Total of 7.1 kWp producing 5.5 kWh of electricity per year
Total photovoltaic capacity Total of 20 kWp producing 18,000–20,000 kWh of electricity per year Type Glazed overhead structure with linear supports on 4 sides (to counter wind uplift, the modules have
linear supports plus point fixing on 2 sides); laminated safety glass series
Surface area of solar panels Approx. 237 m2 building-integrated PV panels, approx. 24.4 m2 PV array on flat roof
Surface area of solar panels 78.1 m2
Project partners/Teams Burghauptmannschaft Österreich (authority responsible for historic buildings owned by the Repub-
lic of Austria), Arch. Dipl.-Ing. Peter Hartmann Architect Büro Dialer Architects

The integration of photovoltaic modules in laminated safety glass makes The PV modules have been embedded in the glass in an irregular pattern The "King of the Skies" visitor centre in Rauris, an information point and The project planning for the Rauris PV wave roof pursued an integrated
this project a unique multifunctional symbiosis of energy-saving tech- to produce a "leaf canopy" effect of dappled light and shade. A broad interactive exhibition space run by the Province of Salzburg Hohe Tauern approach, combining an innovative structure with efficient solar technol-
nologies. In close collaboration with the Federal Monuments Authority, facade of glazed panels, some of which can be opened, creates a light National Park Authority, is surrounded by high Alpine scenery. The build- ogy. The PV modules have a surface area of approx. 78 m² with a gener-
the historic giraffe house was restored to its original form and combined and airy indoor enclosure for the giraffes. The integrated photovoltaic ing was completed in 2008 and meets low-energy standards. 2010 saw ating capacity of approx. 7 kWp.
with a new winter garden extension to provide the giraffes with a gene- and solar thermal systems do a lot to help balance the zoo‘s energy bud- the launch of the planning phase for the glazed roof over the porch and
rously proportioned indoor space. The winter garden roof is supported get, with the PV installations covering the entire power requirement of assembly area, with an integrated solar PV system to make the building
by a steel structure that branches upwards like a tree, while the roof it- the Giraffe Park. energy self-sufficient. The wavelike porch roof of the "King of the Skies"
self is a delicate lattice of glass panes with integrated PV cells. centre is covered with laminated safety glass photovoltaic modules.

79 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 80 Model projects
Figure 67: Stadthalle Boutique Hotel Figure 68: Erich Kästner School

Stadthalle Boutique Hotel Erich Kästner School

Project type Renovation & new build Project type Renovation
Address 1150 Vienna Address 40764 Langenfeld, Germany
Year completed 2009 Year completed 2010
Ownership Private Ownership Public
Building use Private/hotel Building use Public
Type of vegetation/Plants used Various herbaceous perennials Type of vegetation/Plants used Extensive/sedum
Technology(ies) deployed Living wall, soil moisture sensors/photovoltaic modules, solar thermal system Technology(ies) deployed Photovoltaic modules
Irrigation system Storey-by-storey drip irrigation system with reservoir mat and sealing layer Irrigation system None
Surface area of greenery 120 m2 Surface area of greenery 600 m2
Project partners/Teams (contact for Dachgrün GmbH/Boutiquehotel Stadthalle Project partners/Teams (contact for Optigrün international AG
enquiries) enquiries)

The vertical garden on the street facade is a plus for hotel guests, who consisting of 10 cm aluminium plant troughs in a cascade arrangement A beneficial combination of green roof and photovoltaic system has
can pick fresh strawberries straight from the windowsill, and also pro- with mineral substrate, reservoir mat and sealing layer. It is classified as been installed on the roof of the Erich Kästner School in Langenfeld,
vides amenity value for local residents. For fire safety purposes, the a multi-layered mounted facade in accordance with Austrian Standard Germany. The PV array is a ballasted, non-penetrating system, with
vertical garden is interrupted by a horizontal metal band (fire stop) ÖNORM L 1131. The planting medium is a crushed clay aggregate with the photovoltaic modules installed on mounts at a height that prevents
between the individual storeys. The storey-by-storey drip irrigation an organic component and other added nutrients. The plants used are shading and also allows plant growth underneath the solar panels. The
system is controlled by 10 ground sensors measuring soil moisture, plus selected herbaceous perennials such as cranesbill geranium (Geranium plants for the green roof were chosen to ensure easy maintenance, and
a separate temperature sensor. In technical terms the vertical garden sp.), heuchera (Heuchera sp.), lavender (Lavandula sp.) and wild straw- the system was tested in a wind tunnel to guarantee its structural safety.
is a facade-bound green wall system (rear-ventilated and insulated) berry (Fragaria vesca).

81 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 82 Model projects
Figures 69 + 70 + 71: Zurich Opera House Figure 72: Rooftop experimental facility

Zurich Opera House Experimental solar PV system on the roof the Eichgut retirement home
Project type Refurbishment Project type Research facility
Address Zurich – Oerlikon Address 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
Project/planning launch date 2016 Project/planning launch date 2012
Year completed 2019 Year completed 2017
Construction costs 17 million Swiss francs Care & maintenance 1–3 x per year
Ownership Public Ownership Public
Building use Public Building use Residential home for the elderly
Orientation/Shading East-west Orientation/Shading East-west
Type of vegetation/Plants used Extensive/native wildflowers + sedum Type of vegetation/Plants used Extensive/silver-leaved plants (white rock rose, thyme)/white gravel
Technology(ies) deployed Photovoltaics Technology(ies) deployed Bi-facial solar cells (special modules)
Irrigation system None System capacity 10.8 kWp
Surface area of greenery 7,700 m2 Project partners/Teams (contact for Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and Solarspar
enquiries)
Surface area of solar panels 2,660 solar modules
Total capacity: 825 kWp (310 Wp per module)
Project partners/Teams (contact for Solarspar
enquiries)

This research project aims to establish optimum conditions for bio- the solar modules by 16%. The vertical bi-facial arrangement combi-
This project was designed to create habitats for as many plant and ani- longer-term maintenance costs of green roof systems. The mount for the diversity, rainwater retention and solar power generation. Special ned with an east-west orientation generates maximum output during
mal species as possible. In order to achieve maximum biodiversity, special solar panels was modified slightly to allow the robotic mower to pass easily modules were developed for this purpose, consisting of bi-facial so- the early morning and late afternoon demand peaks, so no tempora-
green islands were constructed alongside the solar modules and the ex- underneath. Solarspar mounted the solar modules in a V-shaped ("butter- lar cells that can produce electricity from solar irradiation on both the ry battery storage is required. It also significantly reduces the prob-
tensive green roof system. Biodiversity features such as piles of deadwood fly") configuration in line with the latest research findings on solar green front and rear sides. The modules can therefore be mounted vertical- lem of output loss caused by plant shading. The higher wind load re-
and mounds of unwashed sand can be used as a nesting place by wild roofs. Most of the rainwater collects at the lowest point of the panel array, ly on upright supports, leaving most of the roof surface available for quirements have been met by increasing the depth of the vegetation
bees, digger wasps and other beneficial insects. where it is diffused into the substrate via a capillary mat to encourage plant an extensive green roof system of silver-leaved plants interspersed substrate layer to 15 cm. This simultaneously allows 80% of the annual
An innovative element of the project is the deployment of a specially devel- growth beneath the PV panels. with white ornamental gravel. This in turn reflects the solar irradia- rainfall to be retained, thus optimising the climate mitigation effect of
oped prototype robotic lawnmower, a pilot project aimed at reducing the tion, thus intensifying the albedo effect and increasing the output of the green roof.

83 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 84 Model projects
 4.2 Solar thermal systems

Figures 73 + 74: The hybrid array

Hybrid system
Project type Renovation
Address 1150 Vienna
Figure 75: Hallwang Primary School
Project/planning launch date 2015
Year completed 2015
Care & maintenance 1 x per year
Ownership Private Hallwang Primary School
Building use Private Project type New build
Type of vegetation/Plants used Extensive/sedum Location Hallwang, Salzburg
Technology(ies) deployed Hybrid collectors (solar thermal and photovoltaic) Year completed 2017
Capacity 2.12 kWp electrical, 10 kW thermal Ownership Municipality of Hallwang
Surface area of solar panels 13.6 m 2
Building use Primary school and youth centre
Project team (contact for enquiries) 3F SOLAR (Alexander Friedrich) Solar thermal collectors, monovalent heat pump (brine/water), adsorption refrigeration system,
Technology(ies) deployed
concrete core temperature control, 20.5 kWp capacity PV system
Total capacity 200 kW solar thermal
Surface area of solar collectors 280 m2
This project combines an extensive green roof system with solar collec- substrate. Once the solar collectors are in place, the green roof can be
tors on a flat roof. To meet the wind load and wind uplift criteria, the planted, using either sedum sprouts, low-growing herbaceous perennial
panel mounting structures are ballasted by concrete slabs/strips (with plug plants or sedum mats. Shade-loving and drought-tolerant species
additional underlay mats to protect the bitumen sheeting). To avoid lat- can be planted in the area underneath the collectors. The householder The local state primary school in Hallwang (Province of Salzburg) is the thermal system covers 80% of the school‘s heating requirements. The
er shading of the panels by the vegetation, the lower edge of the so- carries out annual care and maintenance to control the plant growth and first in Austria to be entirely carbon free, powered by solar thermal and building saves an annual total of 120,000 kWh of electricity and 30 ton-
lar modules must be positioned high enough to accommodate the full cleans the surfaces of the solar collectors. Note/relevant experience: PV systems and a heat pump. The classrooms are heated via a concrete nes of CO2. In 2019 the school was awarded with the Austrian State Prize
depth of the substrate layer plus the height of the grown plants (red Close coordination among the specialist contractors during installation core temperature control system. Solar collectors are mounted on the for Architecture and Sustainability.
arrow). The pre-insulated (thermal) pipes and cables are covered by the is especially important. facade to make maximum use of the winter sun, and the 280 m² solar

85 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 86 Model projects
Figure 76: Wohnmanufaktur Kröll.Winkel Figure 77: Apartment building, Mariahilfer Straße 182

Wohnmanufaktur Kröll.Winkel Apartment building, Mariahilfer Straße 182

Project type New build Project type Refurbishment
Location Taxenbach, Salzburg Location Vienna
Year completed 2016 Year completed 2018
Ownership Wohnmanufaktur Kröll.Winkel Building use Housing
Building use Offices, workshop, showroom Technology(ies) deployed Solar thermal collectors, gas central heating
Solar thermal collectors, concrete core temperature control, heat pump, 50 kWp capacity PV system, Surface area of solar collectors 88 m2
Technology(ies) deployed
geothermal collector
Total solar thermal capacity 74 kW
Surface area of solar collectors 105 m2

The bespoke carpentry and interior design firm in Taxenbach (Province covered by a 24 kW brine/water heat pump, the geothermal collector The apartment building at 182 Mariahilfer Straße in Vienna was left in ruins was converted from separate gas boilers to gas central heating controlled
of Salzburg) produces wooden furniture and interiors from wood, stone, for which is used for passive cooling of the upper and lower storeys of following a gas explosion in 2014 and had to be completely refurbished. from a boiler in the basement, and can be converted to district heating at
glass, steel and textiles. The offices and production facility are 80% solar the building in the summer months. The building saves an annual total of Under the direction of the architectural firm Trimmel Wall, the core of the any time. The 150 kW gas boiler supplies the underfloor heating system
heated using a concrete core temperature control system, while a var- 55,000 kWh of electricity and 15 tonnes of CO2. building was remodelled and the facade restored to its original design. An (70 kW) and the ventilation system (10 kW). Two 922-litre buffer tanks
nishing chamber is also supplied with solar thermal energy via a heater additional rooftop storey was also added, built to passive energy stan- supplement the central heating and solar thermal systems. A solar thermal
battery. The 105 m² of collectors are integrated into the facade to make dard. The building has a net living space of 2,360 m2 and incorporates 20 system with a surface area of 88 m2 is mounted on the shallow pitched roof
maximum use of the winter sun. The remaining energy requirement is refurbished pre-war flats und nine new penthouses. The heating system facing the rear courtyard and supplies energy for the hot water system.

87 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 88 Model projects
Figure 78: HABAU Concrete Works Figure 79: Fernwärme Wien

HABAU Hoch- und Tiefbau GmbH Concrete Works Fernwärme Wien

Project type New build Project type New build
Location Perg, Upper Austria Location Vienna
Year completed 2014 Year completed 2018
Ownership HABAU GmbH Ownership Wien Energie GmbH
Building use Manufacture of pre-cast concrete elements Building use Pre-heating of the feed water plant for Vienna's district heating network
Technology(ies) deployed Solar thermal collectors, concrete core temperature control Technology(ies) deployed Solar thermal collectors
Total solar thermal capacity 980 kW Total solar thermal capacity 459 kW
Surface area of solar collectors 1,400 m 2
Surface area of solar collectors 656 m2

The concrete works in Perg (OÖ) manufactures pre-cast concrete ele- to heat the moulds for hollow-core slab ceiling production and for the The solar thermal installation operated by Wien Energie GmbH is used to
ments in four production halls. The 1,400 m² solar thermal installation curing kilns in the new circular production plant. This ensures optimum pre-heat the feed water for Vienna‘s district heating network. The solar
supplies all the heating for the 7,700 m² of production space all year year-round utilisation of the solar thermal capacity. The solar thermal thermal array was installed 70 metres up on the rooftop of a boiler house
round via a concrete core temperature control system built into the foun- system saves the company 50,000 m3 of natural gas per annum and saves at the power station in Vienna‘s Simmering district. With a surface area
dations. A disused 80,000-litre gas tank has been repurposed as the buf- 190 tonnes of CO2 emissions. of 656 m2, the solar thermal facility supplies over 700 kWh/m2, a possibly
fer tank. From April to October the solar energy generated is also used record-breaking output, and saves 70,000 m3 of natural gas per annum.

89 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 90 Model projects
5

Planning
guidance

91 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 92 Technologies
 Rigorous interdisciplinary planning is required to ensure the long-term efficient 5.1 Guidance on combining solar technology with
operation of solar technology and combined solar & green roof/vertical greening
systems. The following guidance is designed to provide a simple introduction to the
green roofs/vertical greening systems
subject and pave the way for a joined-up approach to planning in new-build and
retrofitting projects alike. Coordinated project management by the planning, installa- In new-build projects, combined solar and green roof/vertical greening solutions
tion and maintenance contractors from the two sectors (solar energy and greening) are apt to yield efficient results, in that the two systems are planned and executed
is critical to the success of projects of this kind. A collaborative approach is thus hand in hand from the outset. However, refurbishment projects can also incorporate
urgently recommended. modifications (e.g. rooftop insulation) that allow a solar green roof to be installed at
a later date. The right structural parameters are obviously an essential prerequisite
here. Caution is advised when retrofitting solar technologies on existing green roofs/
Prerequisites for the installation of photovoltaic vertical greening systems, or when retrofitting green roof/vertical greening sys-
and solar thermal systems tems with existing solar installations. In this case the greening and solar technology
experts must collaborate closely to synchronise the requirements of the two systems.
The installation of visible new photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, or significant With green roofs the key considerations are usually a reasonable clearance between
modification of existing ones, changes the overall aesthetic of a building. Never- vegetation and solar panels and appropriate layering of the various components to
theless, a uniformity of design should be preserved on facades and roofscapes. The ensure unhindered drainage and even irrigation. When installing green roof systems,
following urban design objectives should therefore be complied with: the necessary substructures can be built in to allow for subsequent retrofitting of
solar technologies.
Photovoltaic and solar thermal installations should preferably be mounted on
facades and rooftops that face onto rear courtyards or the householder‘s own
garden. 8
Source: Pfoser N. (2018): Vertikale How to avoid mistakes when combining solar technology with
Rooftop photovoltaic and solar thermal installations should be mounted parallel Begrünung ["Vertical Greening Sys-
tems"]. Fachbibliothek Grün. Eugen
green roofs/vertical greening systems8
to the roof pitch wherever possible. Ulmer KG. Stuttgart.

Visible cables and pipework must be avoided. Maintain a sufficient clearance between greenery and sensitive structures, cable
One or several rectangular arrays should be aimed for (i.e. L-, T-, U- or C-shaped runs and feeder & distribution manifolds, ensuring compliance with the guidelines
arrays are to be avoided where possible). on non-vegetated strips set out in Austrian Standard ÖNORM L1131.
There should be a gap of at least 50 cm between the edge of the array and the Avoid shading at all costs (impaired performance); less critical with solar thermal
edge of the roof and/or any other rooftop installations, or alternatively the array systems.
should cover the entire rectangular roof surface with no gap at the edge (apart Avoid prolonged soiling of the solar modules, e.g. by falling leaves.
from guttering and flashing). Ensure professional care and maintenance of the greenery.
Any protrusion beyond the edge of the roof must be avoided. Choose the right green roof/vertical greening system for the setting (extensive
With tilted modules on flat roofs, the distance from the edge of the roof should sedum, extensive biodiverse, semi-intensive, intensive).
ideally be double the height of the modules (measured vertically).
A basic requirement in all cases is that the proportions and scale of the photovol- The substrate layer of an extensive system must not be too deep, otherwise plants
taic and solar thermal installations should harmonise with the existing archi- can grow above the solar modules and cause shading. More substrate means higher-
tectural features of the building; with facade-mounted systems this is usually growing plants and a different mix of plant species. Extensive greening is therefore
unavoidable anyway. recommended for layered arrangements where the plants are a short distance from
the solar panels. The substrate must be properly structured for the desired vegetation
(see Austrian Standard ÖNORM L 1131 for Green areas on roofs of buildings). Once the
initial follow-up maintenance period has elapsed, ongoing care and maintenance of the
plants under the solar modules is limited to once or twice per year.

93 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 94 Planning guidance
 It is advisable to choose plants that produce little biomass and do not require much fer-
tiliser and pruning. The exception to this is the combination of intensive greenery with
solar modules mounted a larger distance away, e.g. on a pergola-type structure; in this
case there is enough space for a wide variety of plant species, including e.g. vegetable
beds or trees and shrubs. Intensive green roofs require a similar amount of care and
maintenance as a garden.

With combined solutions in both new builds and refurbishments, professional planning
and execution are important to ensure an optimum spatial configuration of the solar
technology and greening elements. It often occurs that both a green roof and solar
technology are desired and taken into consideration in the initial plans, but not imple-
mented until a later date for reasons of cost. If the greenery is installed first this is not
a problem, though it does require the green roof structure to be prepared accordingly
for the installation of the solar technology. Synergy effects, suitable combinations and
possible configurations of solar technology and green roof/vertical greening systems
are explained in detail in Chapter 3.

In principle, existing solar PV/thermal systems or green roofs/vertical greening systems

Figure 80: Negative effects of
can usually be retrofitted with the respective other technology. This step-by-step mode plant growth on retrofitted solar
of installation requires some precautionary measures, however, as described on the technology

following pages.

This leads to waterlogging in the run-off area of the solar modules, which changes the
Factors to consider when retrofitting solar technology composition of the plant community. The vegetation underneath the solar array, on the
on existing green roofs other hand, is cut off from the water supply, so withers and dries up. In any event,
a pre-existing green roof should be assessed for its suitability to integrate solar tech-
"A stitch in time saves nine", as the saying goes, and the substructure for the solar array nology and structurally modified where necessary. In this case, the substructure of the
can already be built into the underlying layers of the green roof system. Ballasted sup- green roof system should be adapted to suit the planned solar array and ensure even
ports with integrated mounting brackets for PV panels are suitable for this purpose, as distribution of water run-off. This may entail e.g. installing capillary matting and/or
they allow PV modules to be installed at a later date. The ballasted substructure with in- water reservoirs.
tegrated mounting brackets should be pre-installed by anchoring it into the drainage/
reservoir layer of the green roof system (see Chapter 3). This helps avoid subsequent In cases where tall plant growth is already causing problems with output and mainte-
damage to the existing vegetation, and possibly to other layers of the green roof. nance because there is no longer a sufficient gap between greenery and solar panels
and the rainwater management system has been disrupted, perforated metal sheeting
The later installation of a solar thermal and/or PV system must be taken into account and other permeable metal fine-mesh elements can provide an emergency remedy.
when selecting plant species for the green roof. By choosing the right type and depth Although this limits the height of vegetation growth, the plants continue to receive
of substrate we can influence the resulting plant community and hence the height water and sunlight. However, this is an emergency solution for established green roofs
of plant growth. The problem of shading by plants sometimes occurs because the where proper restructuring of the entire green roof system would not be economic.
original substrate was too deep, having been designed for a different plant community.
Problems can also arise when the rainwater management system of the green roof is In cases where an existing green roof system has not been pre-prepared for solar tech-
disrupted through installation of a solar array without leaving sufficient clearance and/ nology and thus has an unsuitable substructure, the solar installation must always be
or without prior modification of the green roof substructure. planned with great care and with the involvement of experts from both fields.

95 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 96 Planning guidance
 If the solar array can only be installed with a gap of less than 20 cm from the surface of The correct choice of plants is crucial
the growing medium, or even flush with the roof, then the green roof system needs to
be partially or fully removed. However, this frequently goes against the stipulations of When planning a roof/facade greening project, care should be taken when choosing
the municipal authority, because in most cases the green roof will have been officially the intended plant communities (mix of species), because different plant species
mandated and must be preserved accordingly. Partial or complete remodelling of the require different conditions for growth. Self-clinging climbing plants will not do
green roof to install an appropriate substructure, plus configuration of the solar array to well with trellises, for example, whereas suitable support structures are essential for
leave a clearance of > 20 cm between panels and green roof substrate is the most sen- twiners, bines, stem tendril climbers and ramblers (see Chapter 2). The growing bed
sible, preferred alternative, because it preserves the function of the green roof system. or planter needs to have the right substrate and be of sufficient volume to supply the
Ballasted mounting brackets anchored into the drainage/retention layer of the green plants with everything they need for growth. Earth is not classified as a substrate and
roof system should be used for this purpose. does not provide enough nutrients over the long term.

When retrofitting greenery with existing solar technology, a complex set of pre-
Retrofitting of green roof/vertical greening systems on buildings requisites needs to be borne in mind. For example, caution needs to be exercised if
with existing solar installations shade-loving climbers are to be combined with solar technology on a facade. These
plants put out shoots that grow into shady areas, where they can then increase in
If the solar thermal or PV system is being installed without greening for the time being, girth through secondary growth until they burst the confines of the space. Significant
care must be taken to ensure that there is sufficient clearance between the modules damage can be expected in such cases. If a combination of shade-loving climbers
and the substructure, otherwise any greenery retrofitted in future may cause unwanted and solar technology is chosen, it is crucial that separators are installed to prevent
shading. The vegetation must be given a certain amount of space in which to thrive. uncontrolled spread of the plants.
When a green roof/vertical greening system is combined with existing solar technolo-
gy, a minimum clearance of 20 cm should therefore be left between the surface of the
growing medium and the solar panels. Ideally the solar array should have an east-west Planning guidance for installing green roof systems
orientation allowing easy access beneath the modules for maintenance purposes. with solar technology

In order to optimise both cooling of the solar modules and plant growth, it is essen-
tial to ensure that a certain clearance is maintained between the vegetation layer and
the solar array. 20 to 60 cm is the minimum, depending on the respective system,
tilt angle and wind load. Special attention must be paid to the wind load if the above
requires the modules to be positioned with a larger clearance and/or at a steeper tilt.

If the modules are mounted with an east-west orientation, the distance between
them can be as small as 0.5 cm to ensure that no plants can grow up there and cause
shading. Rainwater, however, can still run off through the narrow gap.

Structural adequacy and calculation of roof loads

For installations on pitched roofs, the additional dead load of the solar technolo-
gy usually poses no problem. On flat roofs, however, the existing roof structure is
often inadequate to support the extra load, so the opinion of a structural engineer
Figure 81: A negative example: ivy
should always be sought in case of doubt. The effect of snow load, wind uplift and
next to a PV array with no separator wind pressure on the solar installation needs to be calculated with reference to the

97 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 98 Planning guidance
 designated climatic, wind load and snow load zones (for further information, see Indirect solar glare
the relevant maps). The contractor is responsible for verifying and providing written
confirmation that the solar modules, mounting system and fixings are appropriate In individual cases, unfavourable conditions can cause indirect glare (reflection of
and sufficiently dimensioned for the local conditions. sunlight) from a solar module. It is important to carry out an assessment of solar
glare at the planning stage. ÖVE Guideline R 11-3 sets out minimum requirements for
Since both the solar panels and the greening system place an additional structural load the assessment of solar glare and its potential impact on the neighbouring area and/
on the roof, solar technology should only be installed in direct combination with the or on road users and other modes of transport. It thus serves as a decision-making
lighter extensive type of greening (roof gardens are an exception). An extensive green- aid when planning or evaluating solar installations for this purpose.
ing system simultaneously ensures that the panels are not shaded by high-growing
vegetation, because the greater the depth of the substrate, the greater the diversity of The following measures can be taken to mitigate/prevent glare:
species and the likelier taller plants are to thrive. The required weight of the green roof
elements for ballasting purposes can be pre-calculated and the substrate layers adjust- Screening of the line of sight between the relevant solar modules and the place of
ed as necessary (lower substrate depth with heavier weight by using coarser-grained immission at the times when glare occurs.
substrate with a higher specific weight; higher substrate depth with lighter weight by Optimisation of module positioning (e.g. height, tilt angle, orientation).
incorporating lighter components with finer granulation). The additional dead load of
a solar green roof is at least 120 kg/m2 (see Chapter 2). According to the Austrian Aviation Act (§ 94), installations which may cause disability
glare may only go ahead with prior approval from the relevant authority. At any rate,
a separate assessment should evaluate whether or not any glare is a potential safety
Rooftop safety installations hazard for air traffic.

The necessary rooftop safety installations need to be in place before construction

work starts, but also for the later maintenance of the building. The range of rooftop Commissioning and maintenance
safety equipment is wide and varied, from guard rails to single point anchors and rigid
rail safety line systems. The installations need to be geared to the respective work to Care must be taken to ensure regular inspection, especially with combined solar PV
be carried out and incorporate fall protection systems and equipment for safe ascent and green roof/vertical greening systems. The first step is a visual inspection. In the
and descent. The fall protection systems must be installed in compliance with ÖNORM event of reduced performance or other problems, inspection of the solar modules
L 1131 and conform to the requirements of ÖNORM B 3417 and OIB Guideline 4. Per- using infrared thermography or electroluminescence can help identify the cause.
sonal protective equipment (e.g. safety line with body harness) must be worn when
installing and removing rooftop safety installations. The Austrian occupational health Regular cleaning, snow clearance, and in some circumstances pruning of the vegeta-
& safety organisation AUVA publishes a German-language safety manual for rooftop tion all help keep power output at a maximum.
work ("Arbeiten auf Dächern") giving details of safety precautions, equipment and
qualifications that may be required for maintenance of rooftop installations. Damaged
components in solar installations can produce dangerous electrical voltages. For this Damage and insurance
reason, a professional electrician should ideally be tasked with the repairs and the
green roof contractor given timely warning about the potential hazard. Insurance cover for damage caused by hail, snow, etc. must be discussed with the
respective insurance company. It is important to clarify in advance what types of
After planting and the initial phase of care until the plants are established, extensive damage the insurance provider will cover.
green roof systems require ongoing care and maintenance once a year. This includes
removal of unwanted growth (woody plants), inspection of the water run-off and drain-
age systems and application of nutrients.

99 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 100 Planning guidance
 5.2 Building type, usage and ownership – factors to is required in all cases. The advice of a legal expert can be sought to clarify the legal
situation in individual cases.
consider in connection with greening of buildings

The building type is a decisive factor in determining the options available for greening 5.3 Example of a combined solar green roof system
of the available surfaces. It is important to consider the objective(s) behind the green-
ing project: What spectrum of uses is the greened surface expected to cover, and who For approximately ten years now, international manufacturers have been marketing
are the users? Is multiple use of the same surface a possibility, and what added value operationally tried and tested solutions combining solar technologies and greening
would that provide? systems. The differences between the various racking systems, support brackets,
tilt angles and clearances lie in the detail. A wider range of certified system config-
The type of building, e.g. detached, contiguous or semi-detached, determines the urations and combination options is likely to become available going forward. The
number of available surfaces and the basic energy modalities. It is a good idea to suggestions, case studies and trends outlined in this handbook provide a look ahead
define a detailed set of usage and output objectives for the available surface area and and are designed to inspire a positive approach to creative planning.
use this to design an efficient and harmonious multiple-use solution that creates added
value. Various design options and approaches for the outer shell of the building can be The following schematic diagram provides an overview of common features and
found in the previous Chapter 5.1. basic functioning:

The use of the building‘s ground-floor zone is especially relevant here. In buildings with
a high visitor frequency, such as in the retail sector, for instance, precautions should be
taken to prevent damage from vandalism or as a result of direct mechanical contact.
With ground-level greening, for example, guards can be installed to protect the plant
stem(s). Care should also be taken to ensure that vertical greening systems cannot be
used as climbing aids. It is recommended that such systems are mounted a safe height
from the ground.

The ownership details are another major factor. The approach suitable for a single-
family house, for instance, is very different to that for a multi-storey block of flats.
The ownership of solar technology and greening systems needs to be clarified at the
planning stage. Tasks and responsibilities pertaining to care and maintenance of green
roofs/vertical greening systems and solar technology must likewise be clearly defined
and assigned. It is recommended that the cost-sharing arrangements and the modal-
ities for care and maintenance work be determined before the systems are installed. Figure 82: Solar green roof system
For example, does responsibility lie exclusively with the direct beneficiary, or are the with east-west orientation

occupants collectively liable?

Greening measures and solar installations are associated with increased costs, so they The solar array is basically ballasted in place by the weight of the extensive greening
are classified as an extraordinary matter in terms of property management law. The system, so no penetration of the roof membrane is required. The mounts for the solar
approval of the other co-owners must therefore be sought and obtained. In a common- modules are anchored into the drainage/retention layer of a classic green roof sub-
hold property, at least 51% of the commonholders‘ association must give their consent. structure. All that remains is for the respective solar modules to be fixed to the mounts.
In cases of simple co-ownership, 100% of the co-owners must give their consent, The wind uplift must be calculated in advance and, if necessary, can be compensated
although consent can be established by court decision instead. A written resolution by a deeper substrate layer.

101 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 102 Planning guidance
 5.4 Fire safety Structural measures:
Easily visible and accessible DC cable runs
Fire safety precautions need to be taken into consideration for solar technology instal- Fire resistance rating of 30 minutes (roof)
lations as well as for green roof/vertical greening systems. The respective fire safety Cables to be routed away from fire risk areas
specifications for photovoltaic installations, solar thermal systems and green roofs/ Safe access to PV modules for firefighters (e.g. walkways, etc.)
vertical greening systems are set out on the following pages.
The actual measures that need to be implemented are decided by the respective fire
safety inspector (in the case of notifiable installations that are subject to approval).
Fire safety measures for photovoltaic installations
Structural fire safety measures are normally regulated in the Building Codes of the indi-
PV systems that are not carefully planned and meticulously installed, connected, wired vidual federal provinces. A fact sheet containing all the fire safety requirements for the
and fused can increase the risk of fire. By the same token, however, this means that installation of photovoltaic systems on buildings in Vienna is available for download at
there is usually no need to fear a fire hazard if the system is properly installed and https://www.wien.gv.at/wohnen/baupolizei/ (in German).
regularly maintained and serviced. Unprotected cabling should be avoided at all costs,
for instance, because it poses a fire risk. The fire safety requirements for the installation of vertical greening systems in Vienna
are listed in the City of Vienna Guide to Vertical Greening Systems, which is available
The fire safety regulations should be carefully examined before installing a photovol- for download at https://www.wien.gv.at/umweltschutz/raum/pdf/fassadenbegruenung-
taic system. The nationwide ÖVE Guideline R 11-1: 2013-03-01 (PV systems – Additional leitfaden.pdf (in German).
safety requirements; Part 1: Requirements for the protection of firefighters) sets out
the safety requirements for planning and installation of PV systems and must be com-
plied with. The above stipulations can be applied mutatis mutandis to free-standing PV Fire safety measures for solar thermal systems
systems in outdoor spaces. The following requirements are prescribed as standard:
As a matter of principle, fires can only be caused by solar thermal collectors with tim-
Diagrams of the PV system showing cable runs and indicating the location of any ber frames. All known fire incidents to date were associated with manufacturing faults
manual isolation switches at switching points must be available and readily acces- in in-roof collectors, where the surface of the collector is inset into the roof. In this case
sible to firefighters at all times. the solar collectors are not mounted on top of the roof cladding, but actually replace
The exact position of the photovoltaic modules and their distance from mainte- it. Up until 2017, only around two dozen solar collector fires were known of in Germa-
nance walkways, roof hatches, skylights and other installations must be docu- ny, half of which were caused by faulty collectors produced by a certain manufacturer
mented and the information kept in a readily accessible place. The location of the (which has since gone bankrupt).
PV inverter must be clearly indicated.
If a building with a PV system is on fire, the firefighters have to switch off the elec- A solar thermal system cannot usually cause spontaneous combustion of wood,
tricity before starting the firefighting operations. because the stagnation temperature of flat-plate solar collectors at the hottest point
When installing building-integrated photovoltaics, care should be taken to ensure (centre of absorber plate) is around 200 degrees Celsius, whereas wood only ignites at
that the system complies with the fire safety classification set out in EN 13501-1. a temperature of approx. 280 degrees Celsius. However, if wood is repeatedly heated
The fire safety objective can be met by means of technical and/or structural mea- to temperatures of between 120 and 280 degrees Celsius for prolonged periods, the
sures, backed up by appropriate organisational procedures: ignition temperature gradually decreases and can fall to below 120 degrees Celsius
("thermal degradation" causes a reduction in the weight of the wood). Fire damage
Technical measures: incidents to date were not due to periodic stagnation of the system during the sum-
Cut-off and bypass switches in the vicinity of the PV modules mer, but were all the result of an unusually prolonged period of stagnation caused by a
functional defect (leak, pressure loss, etc.) or an installation that was oversized for the
setting, causing the wood to be in direct contact with very hot system components.

103 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 104 Planning guidance
 If, due to faulty manufacturing or installation, the wood is directly exposed to such
defective and/or oversized and hence permanently overheated systems, the result can
be thermal degradation and, in extreme cases, spontaneous combustion.
Greenery
The trade association Austria Solar has incorporated measures to minimise the fire risk
of solar collectors in the guidelines for its Austria Solar quality seal. In future, the mount- Fire stops
ing instructions for collectors must contain guidance on how to avoid damage caused
by overheating. When laying the pipework in the rooftop area, care must be taken to Fire breaks
ensure that non-insulated sections of the solar pipework are not touching any wooden
materials. With in-roof collectors, rear ventilation must be ensured in compliance with
ÖNORM B 4119.

Fire safety measures for vertical greening systems

Figure 83: Fire safety regulations
for buildings with vertical greening
The structural properties of contemporary vertical greening systems were tested by systems

the City of Vienna Testing, Inspection and Certification Body in a series of practical
fire safety experiments on systems featuring climbing plants with and without support
structures. The findings indicated practically no lateral fire spread, not even close to These fire stops can be integrated into living walls, for example, or installed along the
the flames immediately adjacent to the fire compartment. There is no secondary fire upper edge of windows.
risk from burning debris falling from the facade. Likewise, no vertical fire spread via
woody roots was observed. However, vertical fire spread may be caused by a sudden
short burst (a few seconds) of "flash fire". Fire safety measures for green roofs

Based on the above, no special fire protection measures are required for buildings up According to the German FLL Guideline 2018, ÖNORM L 1131 and international norms
to building class 3. Consequently, vertical greening systems up to a maximum of three and practice, all types of standard-compliant intensive and extensive green roof
storeys high do not require a separate fire risk assessment. Buildings of class 4 and systems with sedum-moss-herbaceous plants, provided they are professionally and
above require additional measures to prevent spread of fire and stop burning debris properly planned, installed and maintained, are designated as a "hard roof". They are
falling to the ground. Inspections will check for compliance with ÖNORM B 3800-5. deemed to be resistant to flying sparks and radiant heat and are classified as BROOF(t1)
in the most commonly used testing and certification procedures. As a matter of principle,
The following basic planning guidance thus applies: ÖNORM L 1131 for Green areas on roofs of buildings specifies that the requirements set
There must be a minimum vertical gap of 1 m between the greenery and the com- out in ÖNORM EN 13501-1 and ÖNORM EN 13501-5 and/or the relevant local regula-
bustible roof structure. tions must already be taken into account during the planning phase.
Non-vegetated fire breaks must be left around openings (windows); 1 m vertically
and 0.2 m horizontally. The following rules apply for extensive green roof systems:
Access must be ensured for fire-fighting vehicles. Mineral-based growing medium with a maximum of 20% organic matter (by mass)
Depth of substrate ≥ 3 cm
As a further measure, sheet metal fire stops may be installed on each storey, as shown
in the following diagram: The green roof should incorporate non-vegetated strips about 30–50 cm wide around
perimeters and penetrations (depending on surface area and layout of greening). On
intensive green roofs with trees and shrubs, these strips can additionally perform a
preventive function as fire breaks.

105 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 106 Planning guidance
 The strips can be laid out using pebbles, but also with other suitable building materials ÖNORM L 1131 Supplement on solar green roofs by the Verband für Bauwerksbe-
(e.g. paving slabs, grating, etc.). grünung (Greening Buildings Association) FA 2 (2019)
LBH LG58 (Sample terms of reference for green roof installations)
In addition, general fire safety precautions must be observed during the construction City of Vienna Guide to Green Roofs (scheduled for publication in 2021)
phase and in normal operation, e.g.: ÖNORM B 3417 – Design and construction of safety equipment on roofs
Careful handling of open flames and other heat sources during the construction City of Vienna Guide to Vertical Greening Systems (2020)
phase as well as in ongoing operation. OIB Guideline 2: Fire safety (2019)
Changes of use that no longer meet the criteria for a "hard roof" classification ÖNORM B 3806 – Fire behaviour requirements for building products and
must be compensated by appropriate fire protection measures. materials
Appropriate care and maintenance measures to ensure continued compliance with FLL Guidelines for the planning, construction and maintenance of vertical
the "hard roof" designation criteria. greening systems (2018) DE
Torches and burners must not be used to eliminate undesired plant growth. FLL Guidelines for the planning, construction and maintenance of green
roofs (2018) DE
Providing the above are complied with, there are no obstacles to combining green Sia SN 564 312 Green roofs (2013) CH
roofs with solar technology from the fire safety point of view, because the green roof ÖNORM L 1136 – Outdoor vertical greening systems (contains directives for
system is classified as a "hard roof". planning, building, maintenance and control as well as requirements for different
types of vertical greening)

Vertical greening systems can be implemented in a number of different ways. The re-
5.5 Planning aids and tools from quirements and regulations for the various types, up to and including certification, are
set out in the City of Vienna Guide to Vertical Greening Systems (2020) and in ÖNORM
the various specialist fields L 1136 (2021).

The tools, guidance and standards set out below are designed to ensure proper,
professional design and installation and help avoid mistakes. Regulations and guidelines specifically for photovoltaic systems:
ÖNORM EN 62446 – Grid-connected PV systems - Minimum requirements for
system documentation, commissioning tests and inspection
Regulations and guidelines for ÖNORM E 8101, in particular Part 7−712 (Solar photovoltaic power supply systems:
green roofs/vertical greening systems Requirements for special installations or locations)
ÖNORM M 7778 Assembly planning and assembly of thermal solar collectors and
Austrian Standard ÖNORM L 1131, "Green areas on roofs and ceilings of buildings – photovoltaic modules
Directives for planning, building and maintenance", describes permissible, approved ÖNORM EN 1991-1-3 Actions on structures – Snow loads – National specifications,
categories of green roof, including suitable building materials and vegetation types comments and supplements
and their proper care and maintenance. ÖNORM EN 1991-1-4 Actions on structures – Wind actions – National specifica-
tions, comments and supplements
ÖNORM EN 62305 Protection against lightning
Further sets of regulations and guidelines: ÖVE Guideline R 6-2-1 Photovoltaic power supply systems – Lightning and over-
ÖNORM B 2241 – Garden design and landscaping voltage protection
ÖNORM L 1040 – Plants – Vegetation engineering works ÖVE Guideline R 6-2-2 Photovoltaic power supply systems – Selection and applica-
ÖNORM L 1041 – Care and maintenance tion principles of surge protection devices
ÖNORM L 1110 – Plants – Quality requirements, growing forms and provisions ÖVE Guideline R 11-1PV systems – Additional safety requirements
for sorting Part 1: Requirements for the protection of firefighters

107 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 108 Planning guidance
 ÖVE Guideline R 11-3 Glare from photovoltaic systems directly on the premises. However, please note that the Sonnenklar tool is for informa-
ÖVE Guideline R 20 Safety requirements for stationary electrical energy storage tion only and not a substitute for proper professional planning by a specialist contractor.
systems intended for fixed connection to the low-voltage grid
TOR Erzeuger (Technical and organisational requirements for producers of PV Link to the Sonnenklar online planning tool (in German):
systems in Austria) www.pvaustria.at/sonnenklar_rechner
TAEV (Technical requirements for connection to public supply grids with operating A summary of key norms and standards in the PV sector is available at
voltages up to 1000 volts) www.pvaustria.at/normen

Recommended tools and contact points: Photovoltaic simulation software

With its "Greening Check" service, GRÜNSTATTGRAU, a competence centre for
greening of buildings, offers a free technical feasibility study for potential green- Several systems are available on the market for professional design of PV installations.
ing projects in existing buildings as well as new builds. Programs frequently used in practice include, among others:
GRÜNSTATTGRAU also maintains an open public database containing details of PV*SOL
model projects, certified products and experts in the field. PVSites
The Verband für Bauwerksbegrünung Österreich (Austrian Greening Buildings As- PVsyst
sociation) and the competence centre GRÜNSTATTGRAU are available to answer
specific queries about technical feasibility, as well as providing quality-assured, Use of these software programs is usually subject to a fee, but many of them allow
government-subsidised initial consultations and ongoing advice and support school pupils and students to install them free of charge.
through to technical sign-off and certification.

SHW – Simulation software for solar thermal systems

Map of roof spaces in Vienna with potential for solar technologies/
green roof systems The University of Innsbruck has developed a simulation tool for the planning and
design of solar thermal systems that is available to students for teaching and research
Vienna‘s urban area extends over a total of 415 km2. This currently includes 53 km2 of purposes but also to solar energy specialists and interested laypeople. The software
roof surface, 34 km2 of which alone are well or very well suited for installation of solar is free of charge and can be downloaded from the university website. Potential users
technologies. The City of Vienna‘s solar potential map provides an initial estimate of the are asked to complete a simple online form and are then sent a link for download.
potential for solar energy installations in the urban area. The map shows whether the However, please note that the simulation software is for information only and is not a
roof of a particular building is suitable for solar power generation. A similar map asses- substitute for proper professional planning of a solar thermal system. Follow this link to
sing green roof potential indicates which roof spaces might be suitable for greening. access the simulation software:
Link to the City of Vienna‘s solar potential map: https://www.uibk.ac.at/bauphysik/forschung/shw.html.de
https://www.wien.gv.at/stadtentwicklung/stadtvermessung/geodaten/solar/

Selling solar electricity

Pre-plan your own photovoltaic system with the Sonnenklar online
planning tool Self-produced solar power that is not used directly on the premises can be sold to an
energy supplier. E-Control, the Austrian state regulator, offers an independent tool
The Sonnenklar online planning tool is a free software program that allows interested to help you find the most suitable buyer for your surplus power. You can find this by
members of the public to find out the ideal photovoltaic system for their needs by input- following the link below (in German):
ting a few basic parameters. The tool shows how the system can be designed to optimise www.e-control.at/konsumenten/service-und-beratung/toolbox/tarifkalkulator
the self-consumption rate, i.e. the share of the generated solar electricity that is used

109 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 110 Planning guidance
 5.6 Guidance on care and maintenance of solar tech- Additional measures for solar green roofs
The necessary wiring must be designed so as to facilitate the use of electric
nology and green roofs/vertical greening systems garden tools (trimmers, hedge clippers, robotic lawnmowers, etc.) for care and
maintenance purposes.
Proper care and maintenance are crucial to ensure the smooth functioning of greening As a general rule, over 80% coverage by the desired plant species must be
systems and solar technology throughout their intended lifespan and beyond. From achieved during the planting and establishment phase, and 100% coverage
the economic point of view, it makes sense to have both systems (solar technology should be aimed for.
and green roof/vertical greening) serviced at the same time. This approach saves time, With a view to fire safety, the intended mix of vegetation should be maintained
money and emissions and also minimises the disturbance to flora and fauna. and unwanted plant growth avoided.

The Austrian Standard does not allow the use of chemical substances (biocides, her-
Care and maintenance of green roofs/vertical greening systems bicides, fungicides, etc.) or of peat in the care and maintenance of the greenery com-
ponent of solar green roofs. Invasive plant species must be removed immediately in
Care and maintenance during the planting and establishment phase are an integral accordance with the valid regulations.
part of the installation contract, and ongoing care and maintenance should also be
entrusted to a professional. If the greening installation is well cared for over the first
few growing seasons and handed over in a fully functional state, it will require far less Care and maintenance of vertical greening systems
ongoing routine maintenance to keep it in good condition. Care and maintenance of vertical greening systems follows the same three phases
as described above for green roofs: installation and planting phase, establishment
Care and maintenance of green roofs/vertical greening systems is subdivided into phase and ongoing routine care and maintenance. The maintenance intervals for living
three phases, which are defined in detail in Austrian Standard ÖNORM L 1131: walls and vertical greening systems based on climbing plants can vary considerably,
Installation and planting phase (up to acceptance sign-off) depending on the system in question, its location and accessibility. If the system uses
Establishment phase (up to final quality control) trellises or other support structures, these need to be inspected regularly. The care and
Ongoing routine care and maintenance maintenance of vertical greening systems likewise calls for a high degree of specialist
skill and expertise. Care and maintenance activities comprise the following steps:
The aim in the installation, planting and establishment phase is to establish an ecologi- Assessment of plant vitality
cal balance and achieve the specified vegetation coverage. This phase usually lasts for Pruning
two seasons and can comprise various different steps depending on the building and Training of plants where necessary
type of greening installed. The following list serves as an example: Removal of unwanted plant growth
Application of fertiliser Application of slow-release fertiliser
Removal of unwanted plant growth Removal and replacement of dead plants
Plugging of any gaps Inspection of irrigation system (incl. automatic nutrient supply system and/or
Pruning sensors where applicable)
Replacement planting/reseeding Visual inspection for structural damage
Inspection of drainage outlets and non-vegetated areas and removal of any
encroaching vegetation
Additional measures for combined solar technology/vertical greening systems
Once the planting and establishment phase is over, an extensive green roof only The breadth and height of the plant growth must be adjusted to prevent shading of
requires one routine maintenance inspection per year. With intensive green roofs, the the solar modules. Any plants growing too close to a solar module need to be either
maintenance interval depends on how the roof is used and the plant communities pruned back or replanted elsewhere. With self-clinging climbing plants, separator bars
installed. In addition, intensive green roofs usually have an irrigation system that also can also be installed to ensure a clear division between the surfaces.
requires servicing.

111 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 112 Planning guidance
 Maintenance, monitoring and cleaning of solar thermal and PV installations 5.7 Step-by-step implementation guides for solar tech-
Solar thermal and PV installations require very little maintenance. Nonetheless, a
professional inspection must be performed each spring at the start of the sunny sea-
nology and green roof/vertical greening systems
son, as this allows minor faults to be discovered and swiftly remedied. Strong winds,
snow and ice can cause damage or soiling to the system during the winter months, 10 steps to a green roof/vertical greening system
and this is easily spotted during a physical inspection.
0. If a combined solution with solar technology is being considered, this needs to be
Regular maintenance inspections also help ensure that the system yields the maxi- planned as the first step, even if it is not installed until a later date.
mum possible output. Maintenance must be carried out by a specialist contractor, as 1. Feasibility study for the envisaged new build or retrofit greening project, taking
only the latter possess the necessary professional expertise and the right equipment into account project parameters such as type of facade or roof construction, objec-
to guarantee the safety of the system. tive of greening project, budget, ownership, etc.
See the City of Vienna Guide to Vertical Greening Systems (in German):
Good ongoing monitoring of the system is likewise recommended. Many manufac- https://www.wien.gv.at/umweltschutz/raum/pdf/fassadenbegruenung-leitfaden.pdf
turers of solar thermal systems now offer solar control units and/or systems with 2. Initial on-site consultation with a qualified building greening consultant. The
an integrated heat meter, which allows precise monitoring of the energy output. on-site consultation also includes a basic assessment of any potential constraints
Automatic monitoring systems are also available for PV systems. Because these such as pavement width, listed historic building status, organisational factors,
systems are subject to wear and tear from external factors, a maintenance interval indicative costs, declarations of consent in the case of commonhold or co-owned
of no longer than three years is recommended. The manufacturer‘s documentation properties, and structural considerations. (Note: This service is subsidised by the
and/or system testing and inspection certificates may specify further requirements City of Vienna, and qualified consultants are certified and procured by
regarding servicing and maintenance intervals. In accordance with ÖNORM B 1300 GRÜNSTATTGRAU.)
(2012) "Object safety tests for dwelling buildings", the owners of residential buildings 3. Before you start, obtain information about official permits & approvals required
are responsible for people‘s health and safety in those buildings. They are therefore (e.g. visual compatibility MA 19, Federal Monuments Authority, fire safety MA 37,
required to ensure that their property does not pose a safety hazard to the residents structural installations MA 28, among others) and clarify the situation regarding
of the building or their belongings. funding and possible government grants.
4. Engage a qualified planner to plan the project; draw up cost estimates, care &
Regular cleaning is especially important with PV installations, because soiling caused maintenance plan and project schedule. (Note: Details of planners and their
by e.g. pollen, leaves, bird excrement, soot deposits, sand dust, moss and lichens can reference projects can be found in the GRÜNSTATTGRAU database.)
become worn in, and the resulting opaque spots on the panel surface can lead to re- 5. Obtain offers from specialist contractors for installation and maintenance of the
duced performance. The required frequency of cleaning varies enormously, however, system. (Note: Details of specialist contractors, system manufacturers and certified
ranging from several times a year to once every few years. Soiling very quickly leads products can be found in the GRÜNSTATTGRAU database.)
to loss of output, especially with PV installations. At any rate, the cleaning of the PV 6. Identify potential interfaces for the incorporation of solar technologies (see the
array should always be entrusted to professionals who are familiar with the safety following step-by-step guides).
regulations. This is because incompetent cleaning of the solar panels can cause dam- 7. Obtain the necessary planning permission, including any expert appraisals
age and thus increase the risk of injury. required (structural load calculations, structural adequacy of existing building).
8. Commission contractors to install the green roof/vertical greening system;
Care must be taken to ensure that PV modules are not overshadowed in any way installation phase.
whatsoever. Any high-growing plants should therefore be pruned back at regular 9. Acceptance sign-off and transition to post-installation establishment phase;
intervals (see Chapter 5.1). receive contractor‘s invoice and claim grants applied for.
10. Final quality control and sign-off; arrange for ongoing care and maintenance
based on care & maintenance plan.

113 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 114 Planning guidance
 10 steps to a solar thermal system 4. Find out about possible grants and subsidies: when applying for a grant or
subsidy, make sure you meet the specified deadlines and conditions (for detailed
0. If a combined solution with a green roof/vertical greening system is being con- information on government grants and subsidies, see Chapter 6).
sidered, this needs to be planned as the first step, even if it is not installed until 5. Apply to grid operator for assignment of a meter point (with assistance from PV
a later date. contractor).
1. Initial basic assessment: Is sufficient space available on the roof or facade? Does 6. Agree the time schedule with the selected contractor (factoring in a certain
the roof have a suitable orientation and pitch? Is there enough space for a thermal amount of leeway!) and sign the contract for installation of the PV system.
storage tank? Can the solar pipework be laid properly? 7. Installation of PV system and issue of a test certificate by a certified firm of
2. Gather information: Find local solar thermal contractors and planners (further electrical engineers, who will notify the grid operator that the system has been
information at www.solarwaerme.at), contact them to arrange a consultation and commissioned.
quote, option to seek additional energy planning advice if required. Clarify details 8. Choose the energy supplier you wish to export your electricity to and conclude
of system size and function (hot water only or room heating as well?). the feed-in contract. The grid operator will exchange the existing meter for a
3. Clarify the funding situation and find out about possible government grants (see new one.
also Chapter 6 – Government funding). 9. Invoicing of the project und final submission to the funding body.
4. Submit notification of building works or apply for planning permission if necessary. 10. Regular maintenance and cleaning of the PV system.
5. Draw up an installation plan with the selected specialist contractor.
6. Installation of the entire solar thermal system (collectors, storage tank, plumbing
and pipework, control unit, etc.).
7. Final inspection and handover: including a detailed explanation of how the system
works to ensure decades of problem-free use.
8. Adjust the system control settings to suit the individual usage patterns.
9. Day-to-day monitoring of the solar thermal system: a heat meter is recommended
to allow regular monitoring of system performance and optimisation as and when
necessary.
10. Regular servicing: have the system inspected and serviced by a professional every
three years.

10 steps to a photovoltaic system

0. If a combined solution with a green roof/vertical greening system is being consid-

ered, this needs to be planned as the first step, even if it is not installed until a later
date.
1. Clarification of basic questions such as available surface area, system capacity, tilt
angle, orientation, roof or facade installation, placement of inverter, cable runs.
2. Contact potential PV system suppliers and planners and obtain a number of
quotes for comparison.
The trade association Photovoltaic Austria provides a useful search tool for this
purpose (in German): https://www.pvaustria.at/pv-profi
3. Organise funding; find out if notification of building/electrical installation works
and/or relevant permit required.

115 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 116 Planning guidance
6

Government
funding

117 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 118 Technologies
 Government grants and subsidies are available to help fund the installation of solar Follow this link for an overview of grants and subsidies currently available for building
technology and green roofs/vertical greening systems. The following chapter greening projects in Austria:
provides an overview of the relevant funding schemes. Grants are available from the https://gruenstattgrau.at/foerderungen-fuer-gebaeudebegruenung-im-ueberblick/
Province of Vienna, and alternatively also from the federal government. The cost of
retrofitting photovoltaic and solar thermal systems is also tax deductible ("Expendi-
ture on housing refurbishment" under "Special expenditure" on the annual personal Grants for photovoltaic installations in Vienna
income tax assessment form).
Fostering innovative technologies is an essential part of the fight against climate
change. Vienna‘s subsidy schemes for photovoltaic systems also incorporate funding
6.1 Funding from the Province of Vienna for electric storage batteries and financial support for the installation of PV arrays on
green roofs. The aim of these local authority grants is to increase solar power output
Grants for green roofs/vertical greening systems and boost consumption of self-produced solar electricity.

In Vienna, building greening measures are embedded in the urban development plan Vienna provides funding for commercially and privately owned photovoltaic systems
STEP 2025, the Thematic Concept for Green and Open Spaces and the Urban Heat installed on buildings, other built structures or business premises (with the exception of
Islands Strategic Plan for Vienna, UHI-STRAT. Municipal Department MA 22 (Environ- green spaces). Suitable documentation indicating the type of installation must be en-
mental Protection) provides grants to private entities for building greening projects, closed with the grant application. At present, funding is only available for PV systems
alone or in combination with solar technology, with the objective of enhancing quali- with capacity exceeding 50 kWp. A federal grant for the first 50 kWp installed can be
ty of life, improving biodiversity and fostering a healthy urban microclimate. applied for under the subsidy scheme of the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund.

Planning permission or a structural survey must be available for the project sub- 1. Grants for photovoltaic installations
mitted for funding. The project may not receive any other subsidies. Both new- PV systems with a capacity of up to 100 kWp are subsidised to the amount of
build and refurbishment projects are eligible. Refurbishment projects must involve €250 per kWp. Larger PV systems (i.e. 101 kWp plus) up to a maximum capacity of
conversion from a conventional roof to a green roof. If greening is prescribed in 500 kWp are subsidised to the amount of €200 pro kWp. The grant is limited to a
the land use and development plan, funding is only available for green roof sys- maximum of 30% of the eligible costs.
tems with a substrate depth exceeding the prescribed depth. Funding is only award-
ed for quality-assured installations in compliance with ÖNORM L 1131 and up to a 2. Grants for photovoltaic installations on green roofs
maximum grant value of €20,000. However, separate grants are also available for This funding scheme specifically supports installation of PV systems on green roofs
greening consultancy services. The roof membrane must be asbestos-free and and/or installation of PV systems as a pergola-type shading element in multifunc-
PVC-free. tional roof gardens incorporating green roof elements as well as providing amenity
value. The attractive incentive is designed to expand the use of renewables in the
A maximum grant of €5,000 is available for greening of street-facing facades, and urban context and utilise the synergy effects resulting from the combined installa-
a maximum of €3,000 for courtyard-facing facades. Signed declarations of con- tion of green roofs and photovoltaic systems. Grants are awarded for photovoltaic
sent must have been collected from the (co-)owners of the property. The building systems on green roofs up to a maximum amount of €400 per kWp.
must be part of a contiguous group of buildings. Applicants may not have received
any funding for vertical greening systems within the past five years. The vertical 3. Grants for electric storage batteries
greening system must remain in place for at least 15 years. The use of peat and Grants are available for newly installed stationary electric storage batteries based
PVC is prohibited. on lithium technology, as well as for brine storage batteries in combination with
a photovoltaic system. There is separate funding of up to €300 for installation of
Under the Firmengrün strand of its OekoBusinessPlan environmental service package a load management system. Electric storage batteries have multiple advantages.
for businesses, the City of Vienna provides grants to companies (including property They store the electricity produced by your own PV system for use when the sun is
management firms) for quality-assured independent consultancy services in connec- not shining. This increases consumption of self-produced solar power, which means
tion with building greening projects. that less energy has to be taken from the public grid. For grid operators, sunny days

119 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 120 Government funding
 when large amounts of solar power are generated pose a major challenge in terms SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS WITH HIGH SOLAR COVERAGE
of energy storage. Use of electric storage batteries can reduce the burden on the The grants available for solar thermal systems that fall into this category are sig-
public grid at peak times. nificantly higher. In this case subsidies are also available for solar thermal systems
in new-build projects. The grant amounts to max. 25% of the eligible investment
Detailed, up-to-date information about the funding scheme (in German) is available at costs, limited to a maximum of €2,200 for single-family and €3,100 for two-family
https://www.wien.gv.at/stadtentwicklung/energie/foerderungen/strom.html homes. For projects comprising three or more dwelling units, the maximum subsidy
is €650/dwelling unit.

Grants for solar thermal systems in Vienna However, a bonus is available if the solar thermal system covers at least one-third
of the building‘s annual heat energy requirement: in this case the maximum grant
Funding is available in Vienna for solar thermal systems installed in privately financed rises to €3,100 for single-family, €4,400 for two-family and €800/dwelling unit for
new residential buildings. There are two funding strands for solar thermal systems multi-unit residential buildings.
(the current subsidy guideline expires as of 31 December 2021). The general eligibility
requirement is that the quality and performance of solar collectors must comply with Solar thermal systems subsidised under this strand must meet the following
European Standard EN 12975. requirements:
Integration into the room heating system is mandatory.
The system must cover at least 20% of the building‘s annual heat energy require-
RETROFITTED SOLAR THERMAL INSTALLATIONS ment (room heating and hot water).
The City of Vienna subsidises retrofitting of solar thermal installations for the supply The heat transfer must be effected via a low-temperature heating system, and a
of hot water in private housing to a maximum of 25% of the eligible investment heat meter must be installed.
costs. As a maximum, the funding consists of a basic grant of €1,000 plus a lump
sum of €70/m2 of absorber surface area. To be eligible for funding, the solar thermal The current calls for funding applications (in German) are always listed at
system must have an absorber surface area of at least 5 m2 and a storage volume of https://www.solarwaerme.at/foerderoebersicht-privat/ for private buildings
at least 300 litres. and https://www.solarwaerme.at/foerderuebersicht-betrieblich/ for commercial buildings.

If the solar thermal system is also used to supplement the heating system and/or
for cooling purposes, the maximum grant available increases to 35% of the eligible
investment costs. As a maximum, the funding consists of a basic grant of €1,000 6.2 Federal grants & subsidies
plus a lump sum of €100/m2 of absorber surface area. To be eligible for funding, the
system must have an absorber surface area of at least 10 m2 and a storage volume of OEMAG FEED-IN TARIFFS SCHEME 2021
at least 800 litres. For the cooling components of the solar cooling system the grant Subsidies are available for PV installations on buildings (regardless of the legal
amounts to 35% of the eligible investment costs. form of ownership).
The scheme is open to PV systems with a capacity of 5 kWp up to max. 200 kWp.
There is a separate calculation scheme for buildings comprising more than two The electricity exported to the power grid is subsidised by means of a feed-in tariff.
dwelling units: An additional one-off grant is available towards investment costs.
The funding body is OeMAG (Austria‘s renewable energy authority).
3–5 dwelling units €750/dwelling unit Available funding amounts to €8m per year.
6 –10 dwelling units €600/dwelling unit
11 –15 dwelling units €550/dwelling unit The level of the feed-in tariffs and the one-off investment grant is set on a yearly
16–20 dwelling units €500/dwelling unit basis via the Ordinance to the Renewable Electricity Act. Once contracted, the tariff
21+ dwelling units €450/dwelling unit is guaranteed for the next 13 years.

121 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 122 Government funding
 For 2020 the feed-in tariff is 7.06 eurocents/kWh; the investment grant is €250/kWp Grants for photovoltaic installations:
or max. 30% of the investment costs. €250/kWp for 0 to 10 kWp capacity
€200/kWp for each further kWp of capacity from > 10 to 20 kWp
See the following link for details of the scheme and how to apply (in German): €150/kWp for each further kWp of capacity from > 20 to 50 kWp
https://www.oem-ag.at/de/foerderung/photovoltaik/tariffoerderung/ €100/kWp bonus for building-integrated PV systems

For details of the subsidy scheme and how to apply (in German), visit
INVESTMENT GRANT FOR PV SYSTEMS (UP TO 500 KWP) AND ELECTRIC www.klimafonds.gv.at
STORAGE BATTERIES (UP TO 50 KWH) – LAUNCHING IN 2021
One-off investment grant for installation of a PV system.
The PV electricity produced and exported to the grid is not subsidised (unlike STAND-ALONE OFF-GRID SYSTEMS
under the feed-in tariffs scheme). This scheme subsidises stand-alone installations to produce power for self-consumption
The funding body is OeMAG (Austria‘s renewable energy authority). in isolated sites with no access to the power grid (e.g. photovoltaic systems, small
€36m per year are available (€24m for PV systems and €12m for electric storage hydropower or wind power plants or electric storage batteries to supply mountain
batteries). lodges and shelters). The funding programme is open to companies of all kinds, other
commercially active organisations, associations and religious institutions.
Subsidy rates for PV systems: See the following link for details of the scheme and how to apply (in German):
Capacity up to 100 kWp: €250 per kWp https://www.umweltfoerderung.at/betriebe/stromerzeugung-in-insellage-auf-basis-erneuer-
Capacity over 100 kWp to 500 kWp: €200 per kWp (limited to max. 30% of the barer-energietraeger.html
investment costs)
An up-to-date summary with details of all current funding programmes (in German)
Subsidy rates for electric storage batteries: can be found at https://www.pvaustria.at/forderungen/
Electric storage batteries (new and expansions) with capacity up to 50 kWh; the
storage capacity may be larger, but funding is limited to max. 50 kWh
Minimum capacity of the storage battery: 0.5 kWh per kWp installed bottleneck
capacity Grants for green roofs/vertical greening systems
€200/kWh or max. 30% of the direct capital investment costs
Greened buildings and the associated implementation measures are an integral part
See the following link for details of the subsidy scheme and how to apply (in German): of the following specialised initiatives: Bioeconomy Strategy 2020+, klimaaktiv, Cli-
https://www.oem-ag.at/de/foerderung/photovoltaik/investitionsfoerderung/ mate Change Adaptation Strategy, #mission2030, Renewable Energy 2018 and the
environmental audit scheme. Greened buildings are also included in the Biodiversity
Strategie 2020+ launched by Environment Agency Austria. Local grants, usually at
AUSTRIAN CLIMATE FUND INVESTMENT SUBSIDY FOR PV SYSTEMS (UP TO municipal authority level, are also available throughout Austria to help cover the costs
50 KWP) 2020–2022 of expert consultation and installation.
Preliminary note: the current call for funding applications runs until 31 December
2022 (or as long as funds are available). For up-to-date information on subsidy schemes for greened buildings, see:
https://gruenstattgrau.at/urban-greening/foerderungen/
This subsidy scheme was topped up and expanded in December 2020, with a further
€20 million added to the original funding budget. Grants are available for both free-
standing and rooftop PV installations, with a bonus for building-integrated systems.
The investment grant is available for the first 50 kWp installed, though the overall
capacity of the PV system itself can be greater.

123 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 124 Government funding
 Subsidy scheme for green roofs/vertical greening systems as an energy-saving more than 100 m2, the subsidy amount depends on the volume of carbon emissions
refurbishment measure (KPC): saved. Here the grant is limited to a maximum of 25% of the eligible costs, and the
minimum investment is €10,000. The Climate and Energy Fund‘s subsidy program-
GREENED BUILDINGS me for large-scale solar thermal systems covers 30–50% of the investment costs for
As part of the Austria-wide climate action funding programmes of the Federal installations with a collector surface area greater than 100 m² (50 m² in exceptional
Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technol- cases). Integrated energy systems, new technologies and extra-large installations
ogy (BMK), grants are available for the installation of green roofs/vertical greening (> 5,000 m²) are incentivised under six thematic priorities. Grants of up to 100% are
systems on business or local authority premises. Kommunalkredit Public Consulting also awarded towards the cost of feasibility studies for projects with a collector surfa-
GmbH (KPC) administers these grants and awards various subsidies for green roofs/ ce area greater than 5,000 m².
vertical greening systems in new-build and refurbishment projects if combined with
energy-efficient building design or retrofitting of thermal insulation. The current calls for funding applications (in German) are always listed at
https://www.solarwaerme.at/foerderuebersicht-betrieblich/
Grants for new business or local authority premises built to energy-efficient
standards (Federal Ministry for Sustainability & Tourism, BMNT) – (incl. extensive
green roof or vertical greening systems: up to €150/m²).
Grants for retrofitting of thermal insulation in business or local authority premises
(Federal Ministry for Sustainability & Tourism, BMNT) – (incl. extensive green roof
or vertical greening systems: up to €150/m²).

Grants for solar thermal systems

PRIVATE USE
The Austrian Climate and Energy Fund runs a nationwide subsidy programme for so-
lar thermal systems in private buildings, with a new round of funding each year. The
current grant amount is €700 per system in the form of a one-off payment towards
investment costs. Visit the Climate and Energy Fund website for details (in German).
The Climate and Energy Fund‘s "Solar House Programme" provides grants for solar
thermal systems that cover at least 70% of the total heat energy requirement of a
single-family or two-family residential building. New builds, retrofit and refurbish-
ment projects are all eligible and there is a new round of funding each year. Details of
the scheme are available on the Climate and Energy Fund website (in German).

The current calls for funding applications (in German) are always listed at
https://www.solarwaerme.at/foerderuebersicht-privat/

COMMERCIAL USE
Under the eco-friendly funding programme UFI, commercially used solar thermal
systems with a collector surface area of up to 100 m² supplying hot water, room heat-
ing and heat for manufacturing processes are subsidised at a rate of €150 per m² for
standard collectors and €195 per m² for vacuum collectors. The grant is limited to a
maximum of 30% of the eligible costs. For installations with a collector surface area of

125 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems
Index of illustrations,
credits and publishing
details

127 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems 128 Technologies
 Index of illustrations Figure 40 Pfoser/Jakobs 2015; amended by Kraus/Enzi 2016; Illustration: buero bauer
41 Illustration: buero bauer
Foreword 1 Ingo Pertramer 42 GRÜNSTATTGRAU; Illustration: buero bauer
Introduction 1 Rudolf Schmied 43 GRÜNSTATTGRAU; Illustration: buero bauer
2 City of Vienna/Fürthner 44 GRÜNSTATTGRAU
Figure 1 Pfoser et al., 2013; Illustration: buero bauer 45 GRÜNSTATTGRAU
2 Photovoltaic Austria; Illustration: buero bauer 46 GRÜNSTATTGRAU; Illustration: buero bauer
3 ertex solar 47 GRÜNSTATTGRAU
4 KIOTO SOLAR 48 GRÜNSTATTGRAU; Illustration: buero bauer
5 KIOTO SOLAR 49 GRÜNSTATTGRAU
6 DAS Energy/alwitra 50 GRÜNSTATTGRAU; Illustration: buero bauer
7 Photovoltaic Austria; Illustration: buero bauer 51 GRÜNSTATTGRAU
8 Photovoltaic Austria 52 GRÜNSTATTGRAU
9 Photovoltaic Austria 53 GRÜNSTATTGRAU
10 Pflügl 54 GRÜNSTATTGRAU; Illustration: buero bauer
11 Wien Energie/Christian Hofer 55 Ulrike Pitha
12 Photovoltaic Austria 56 Marco Schmidt, TU Berlin
13 Wien Energie 57 Verband für Bauwerksbegrünung, BOKU WIEN, IBLB
14 Wien Energie 58 City of Vienna/C. Fürthner
15 Photovoltaic Austria 59 City of Vienna/C. Fürthner
16 Photovoltaic Austria 60 ZHAW, Solarspar
17 ATB Becker 61 BUGG, Gunter Mann
18 Photovoltaic Austria 62 nachhaltigwirtschaften.at
19 Velka-Botička 63 green4cities
20 Architekten huggenbergerfries, © Beat Bühler 64 GSG
21 BE Netz AG, CH-Luzern 65 Dieter Moor, ertex solar
22 RENÉ SCHMID ARCHITEKTEN AG 66 Photovoltaic Austria
23 Rainer Sohlbank 67 Goetzenbrucker
24 Valentina Damian 68 Optigrün
25 Photovoltaic Austria 69 Solarspar
26 Photovoltaic Austria 70 Solarspar
27 Photovoltaic Austria 71 Solarspar
28 Photovoltaic Austria 72 Solarspar & ZHAW Zurich
29 Wien Energie/Johannes Zinner 73 3F SOLAR
30 Photovoltaic Austria 74 3F SOLAR
31 Wien Energie/Johannes Zinner 75 LP architektur ZT GmbH
32 Elektrotechnik Leitinger 76 AEE INTEC
33 Photovoltaic Austria; Illustration: buero bauer 77 Trimmel Wall Architekten ZTGmbH
34 Market statistics; Illustration: buero bauer 78 HABAU GmbH
35 Photovoltaic Austria; Illustration: buero bauer 79 GREENoneTEC GmbH
36 Solarleitfaden Stadt Wien, 2014; Illustration: buero bauer 80 GSG
37 Gasokol GmbH 81 GSG
38 Gasokol GmbH 82 Marco Schmidt, TU Berlin; Illustration: buero bauer
39 Gasokol GmbH; Illustration: buero bauer 83 City of Vienna; Illustration: buero bauer

129 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems
 Credits and publishing details
Media owner and publisher
Vienna Municipal Administration,
Municipal Department 20 – Energy Planning

Overall strategic coordination and editorial management

Municipal Department 20 – Energy Planning
www.energieplanung.wien.gv.at
Mag. Bernd Vogl
DI Dr. Stefan Sattler
Mag.a Kristina Grgić

GRÜNSTATTGRAU GMBH
www.gruenstattgrau.at
DIin Vera Enzi
DIin Susanne Formanek
Tijana Matic, BSc.
Rafael Werluschnig, BSc.

PV AUSTRIA
www.pvaustria.at
DIin Vera Immizer
DIin Julia Stockklausner
Judith Pospischil
Nikolas Fussenegger

AUSTRIA SOLAR
www.solarwaerme.at
DI Roger Hackstock
Jakob Ploteny, BA

Design concept, illustrations, layout

buero bauer, www.buerobauer.com

English translation
Angela Parker, Vera Ribarich

Printed on carbon offset eco-friendly paper produced in accor-

dance with the "ÖkoKauf Wien" green procurement criteria.

Published and produced in

Vienna, 2022

131 Solar Energy Handbook – Guidance on Combining Solar Technology with Green Roofs & Vertical Greening Systems
www.energieplanung.wien.gv.at