Task 40 (EBC Annex 52)

Towards Net Zero Energy Solar

Buildings

Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings

SHC Position Paper
June 2015
Table of Contents
Aim  of  Position  Paper  ........................................................................................................  3  
Executive  Summary  ...........................................................................................................  3  
Introduction  and  Relevance  ...............................................................................................  3  
Status  of  the  Technology/Industry  .....................................................................................  5  
Potential  ...........................................................................................................................  6  
Current  Barriers  .................................................................................................................  7  
Actions  Needed  .................................................................................................................  9  
Acknowledgement  ..........................................................................................................  10  

SHC Task 40 (EBC Annex 52) – Towards Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings
June 2015 SHC Position Paper Page 2 / 10
SHC Net Zero Energy Solar Buildings – Position Paper

Aim of Position Paper

The aim of this Position Paper is to present the current status of the various research
and pathways in designing and constructing net-zero energy buildings (NetZEBs). It
is written to provide general information on this topic to policy and decision makers
who may be in positions to facilitate the market uptake of NetZEB practices. The
information therein draws from the work of the 82 National Experts from the 19
member countries that participated in the Task/Annex and have contributed so much
knowledge to advancing this field.

Executive Summary
Worldwide, over 40% of primary energy use and 24% of greenhouse gas emissions
are accounted by in buildings. Given the global challenges related to climate change
and resource shortages, much more is required from the building sector than
incremental improvements in energy efficiency.

Recently, a prominent vision touted by so many stakeholders in the building sector

proposes the so-called “net zero energy” buildings (NetZEBs) - buildings whose
energy consumption are fully offset by renewable energy generated on site. Whether
focused on new or existing buildings, achieving net zero energy involves three
fundamental steps: optimize passive building design; maximize energy efficiency to
minimize the building’s demand; then explore on-site renewable energy generation
to cover the remaining energy needs. There are a number of definitions and
strategies to achieving net-zero energy, but for NetZEBs to become mainstream in
the market, there is a need for a wide consensus on clear definitions, and agreement
on the measures of building performance that could inform “zero energy” building
policies, programs and industry building practices, as well as design tools, case
studies and demonstration projects that would support industry adoption.

The joint IEA SHC Task 40/ EBC Annex 52: “Towards net Zero Energy Solar
Buildings” was inaugurated in October 2009 for a 5 year period to enlighten this field
of research to encourage market acceptance of NetZEBs.

Introduction and Relevance

Over 40% of primary energy use and 24% of greenhouse gas emissions1 are
attributed to worldwide energy use in buildings. Energy use and emissions include

1
IEA Promoting Energy Efficiency Investments – case studies in the residential sector ISBN 978-92-64-04214-8. Paris. 2008

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both direct, on-site use of fossil fuels as well as indirect use from electricity2, district
heating/cooling systems and embodied energy in construction materials.

Given the global challenges related to climate change and resource shortages, much
more is required from the building sector than incremental improvements in energy
efficiency. Recently, a prominent vision touted by so many stakeholders in the
building sector proposes so-called “net zero energy” buildings (NetZEBs)3. Although
this term had to encompass several meanings that are poorly understood, several
IEA countries have adopted this vision as a long-term goal of their building energy
policies4. However, to mainstream market adoption of NetZEBs, what is needed is a
wide consensus on clear definitions and agreement on the measures of building
performance that could inform “zero energy” building policies, programs and industry
building practices, as well as design tools, case studies and demonstrations that
would support industry adoption.

What is known about achieving “zero” in buildings? The first strategy is to reduce
energy demand through suitable architectural design and improved building
envelopes. Measures for achieving this depend on climate and building type and
include insulation, improved glazing and daylighting, airtight building envelopes and
natural ventilation as well as active or passive shading for control of solar gains.
Improving the efficiency of energy systems and services through better heating,
cooling and ventilation systems, controls and lighting is the corresponding strategy
for efficient use of the energy supplied. The so-called “Passive House” reflects these
concepts for cold and moderate climates. However, to reach “zero” use of fossil fuels
or zero-carbon emissions require intensive utilization of renewable energy concepts
including solar heating, solar cooling, solar PV, biofuels or other clean energy
generation sources.

The “net zero” option: Zero energy buildings (ZEBs) are not a new concept. An area
of focus has been autonomous building energy options. With existing technology,
this “off-grid” approach has been and still is a technical, economic and ecological
challenge for most applications5. For example, seasonal and daily variations of
demand and supply, at most locations worldwide, result in costly over-sizing of
energy supply systems. As well, autonomous buildings require expensive thermal
storage systems that can embody large amounts of energy relative to the small
energy stored and efficient, long-term electrical storage is still not solved.
Furthermore, most of these so-called ZEBs do require some “imported” energy for
backup and high power density loads, such as cooking.

2
Note: In most countries, indirect emissions are not counted as emissions from the building sector but from the industry (power plants). This
means the environmental footprint of building related energy use is often underestimated.
3
Another ambitious approach was formulated with the 2000-W-Society and the resulting energy demand limits for buildings: Zimmermann,
M., Althaus, H.-J., Haas, A.: Benchmarks for sustainable construction – A contribution to develop a standard, Energy and Buildings, 37,
2005.
4
CA, DE, UK, USA, NL, NZ
5
Goetzberger, A., et. al., The Self-Sufficient Solar House Freiburg, Advances in Solar Energy, vol. 9, p.1-70, 1994

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Addressing the limitations of autonomous buildings, while still achieving “zero”, leads
to utility-connected solutions that optimize energy generation, distribution and
storage. This “net zero” approach (for new and existing building retrofits) still
incorporates on-site renewable energy but the focus is on achieving an annual
balance of energy supply and demand economically through interactions with
electricity grids and other utilities such as community energy systems. To minimize
impacts to grids by reducing the mismatch of supply and demand, the NetZEB
approach requires a very high level of energy-efficiency, smart controls, load
management and on-site solar energy utilization.

Status of the Technology/Industry

The convergence of the need for innovation and requirements for drastic reductions
in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in the buildings sector is transforming
the way buildings and their energy systems are conceived and built. Since the early
1990s the idea of net-zero energy buildings has been gaining widespread
acceptance as a technically feasible long-term goal for the buildings sector -
becoming part of the energy policies of several countries.

The recast of the of the EU Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD),

set the framework and boundaries for new buildings to achieve “nearly zero energy”
targets by the end of 2020. For the Building Technologies Program of the US
Department of Energy, the strategic goal is to achieve “marketable zero energy
homes in 2020 and commercial zero energy buildings in 2025”. On a state level,
California has committed to making all new commercial buildings and 50% of
existing commercial buildings net-zero by 2030. While case studies have clearly
shown that net-zero energy buildings could be created using existing technologies
and practices, most experts agree that a broad scale shift towards net-zero energy
buildings will require clear policy frameworks and significant adjustments to
prevailing market structures.

To date the basic definitions, boundary conditions, measurement metrics and other
components of a robust net-zero energy regulatory framework are deficient or
missing in most countries. The work of the Task/Annex suggests that an appropriate
framework for driving NetZEBs is elaborated in the graph below (Contributions from
Subtask A led by K. Voss)):

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However, despite the emphasis on the goals, the definitions remain in most cases
generic, but the basic steps to achieving net-zero targets are clear: make the
building as energy-efficient as possible through integrated design and energy-saving
technologies, add renewable energy on-site and ensure optimal building
performance over time. Policymakers who wish to support the broad diffusion of net
and near zero energy building’s will need to determine what kind of regulatory
framework is most appropriate for their jurisdictions.

Potential
The world economy is becoming increasingly obstructed by energy cost, energy
availability, and energy-related environmental regulations. Many countries are
looking to shore up their energy supply structure and identify measures to address
energy demand issues. On a global scale, buildings (both residential and
commercial) account for 35% to 40% of total final energy consumption. With the
continued challenge of climate change, more countries are implementing measures
that will reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions. The global acceptance of
green-build and the increasing deployment of energy efficiency retrofits for
commercial and public buildings provides an important pathway for increasing
energy security, reducing – or even decreasing – energy demand, reducing GHG
emissions, and reducing demand for new energy production and distribution
facilities. Energy efficiency retrofits can also be used by commercial building owners
and tenants to support greening and green marketing efforts6.

Around the world, green building is accelerating as it becomes viewed as a long-term

business opportunity. Fifty-one percent of the architects, engineers, contractors,
owners and consultants anticipate that more than 60% of their work will be green by

6
  Navigant   Research,   Energy   retrofits   for   Commercial   and   Public   Buildings,   press   release:  
https://www.navigantresearch.com/research/energy-­‐efficiency-­‐retrofits-­‐for-­‐commercial-­‐and-­‐public-­‐buildings  

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2015, up from 28% of firms in 20127. And the growth of green is not limited to one
geographic region or economic state - it is spreading throughout the global
construction marketplace.

The goal of net-zero may have been once considered an unattainable, far-reaching
and expensive proposition, only available to the most technically advanced projects,
but now it is within the realm of possibility8 for the new-build and retrofit markets.
The process of achieving net zero energy for an existing building is somewhat similar
to that of deep energy retrofits, but with additional considerations: adopting a whole-
building analysis process that delivers much larger energy cost savings – sometimes
more than 50 percent reductions9. Navigant Research forecasts that global revenue
for energy efficiency commercial building retrofits will grow from $68.2 billion in 2014
to $127.5 billion in 2023.

Net-zero energy has been achieved in a number of new and, while more challenging,
existing buildings. The main differences for achieving net zero energy for existing
buildings are that orientation, site configuration and systems are ‘predetermined and
for the most part fixed’10. Nonetheless, the overwhelming consensus about achieving
net-zero energy is most likely to be feasible in:

• Low energy Single family homes (new and retrofitted) with appropriately roof
orientation and low energy demands;
• Sub-tropical and moderate climate zones, where the use of natural convection
and shading strategies could offset most of the building’s energy load;
• Low-rise buildings (residential and office) (one- to three-story). It becomes
more difficult to achieve the net-zero energy target in buildings with more than
three floors due to limited roof area and the use of elevators11; and
• Buildings with low plug process loads.

Current Barriers
A key requirement of NetZEBs is the need for rigorous design and operation of a
building as an integrated energy system that must have good indoor environment
suited to its function. If NetZEBs are to become standard building practice, then the
design practice needs to change from the traditional linear process to an integrated
design approach, bringing together the architects, structural, electrical and
mechanical engineers, general contractors and other stakeholders to bear down on

7
 McGraw  Hill  Construction,  World  Green  Building  Trends:  Business  Benefits  Driving  New  and  Retrofit  Market  Opportunities  
in  60  countries,  SmartMarket  Report,  2013.  
8
  C.   Carmicahel,   K.   Managan,   Reinventing   Existing   Buildings:   Eight   Steps   to   Net   Zero   Energy,   Rocky   Mountain   Institute,  
Johnson  Controls,  May  2013.    
9
 Ibid.  
10
 Ibid.    
11
  C.   Carmicahel,   K.   Managan,   Reinventing   Existing   Buildings:   Eight   Steps   to   Net   Zero   Energy,   Rocky   Mountain   Institute,  
Johnson  Controls,  May  2013.  

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the design process. The design of smart NetZEBs requires the following three key
approaches12:

1. An integrated approach to energy efficiency and passive design.

2. An integrated approach to building design and operation. Optimized NetZEBs
need to be designed based on anticipated operation so as to have a largely
predictable and manageable impact on the grid;
3. A building design optimizes for solar harvesting. The concept of solar
optimization requires optimal design of building form with equatorial facing
façades and roofs for conversion to solar electricity, useful heat and daylight.”

The key challenges/barriers for NetZEBs to overcome are summarized in the table
below (contributions from A. Athienitis, Subtask B Co-Leader) for each of the five
major building subsystems, where the current situation is contrasted with the
expected characteristics of NetZEBs.

BUILDING SYSTEM DESIGN & CURRENT BUILDINGS SMART NetZEBs

OPERATION

Building fabric/envelope Passive, not designed as an Optimized for passive design

energy system and integration of active solar
systems

Heating, ventilation and air Large oversized systems Small HVAC systems optimally
conditioning (HVAC) controlled, integrated with solar
systems, combined heat and
power, seasonal storage and
district energy

Solar systems/renewable No systematic integration – an Fully integrated: daylighting,

generation afterthought solar thermal, photovoltaics,
hybrid solar, geothermal
systems, biofuels linked with
smart micro grids

Building automation systems Building automation systems Predictive building controls to

not used effectively optimize comfort and energy
performance; online demand
prediction / peak demand
reductions

Design and operation Design and operation of Design and operation of

buildings typically considered buildings fully integrated and
apart optimized together subject to
satisfying comfort

12
 A.  Athientis  and  W.  Obrien  (eds.),  2015,  Modeling,  Design  and  Optimisation  of  Net-­‐Zero  Energy  Buildings,  Ernst  &  Sohn,  
Berlin,  Germany.    

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Actions Needed
Net zero energy describes buildings whose energy consumption is fully offset by
renewable energy generated on site. Whether focused on new or existing buildings,
achieving net zero energy involves three fundamental steps: optimize passive
building design; maximize energy efficiency to minimize the building’s demand; then
explore on-site renewable energy generation to cover the remaining energy needs.

The responsibility for achieving NetZEBs requires considerable challenges for all
sectors of the building community. To make Net ZEBs a reality, designers will need
the tools to design and apply better integrated equipment, manufacturers will need to
produce high efficiency equipment and develop the know-how to integrate them into
buildings, and both will have to carefully monitor occupants; needs and provide
comfortable living conditions13.

The industry needs to: 1) develop pathways to fully integrate equipment and
renewable energy technologies to optimize their value the building; 2) deploy ultra-
high efficiency equipment and systems that minimize energy use in all seasons; 3)
develop more refined tools for architects, engineers and manufacturing companies
for properly sizing and selecting appropriate HVAC equipment in NetZEBs; 4)
enhance building automation systems and controls to achieve better comfort control
with less energy; 5) improve building design and selection of low-emitting materials
and furnishings along with advanced air filtration and treatment technologies to
allow for better control of indoor air quality; 6) set standards for measuring the
performance of integrated systems within the building; and 7) train employees in new
construction techniques and quality control procedures14.

A number of market-oriented initiatives should be pursued to encourage adoption of

NetZEB technology and also to support NetZEB marketing activities. The four main
priorities include: 1) building certification (plaque, label or certificate that could be
displayed prominently in the building) that could serve to inspire building owners and
designers; 2) accreditation of professionals; 3) virtual dashboards that highlight
energy flows and consumption of a given NetZEB; and 4) available information
(publications, handbooks, guidelines, other) to motivate NetZEB practitioners.

Finally, the research community should galvanize its efforts in building envelopes -
including the integration and optimization of renewable energy technologies,
mechanical equipment, lighting services, water and space heating and all related
controls in support of market uptake of NetZEB projects.

13
 ASHRAE  Vision  2020:  Producing  Net  Zero  Energy  Buildings,  A  Report  from  the  American  Society  of  Heating,  Refrigeration  
and  Air-­‐Conditioning  Engineers,  January  2008.  
14
 Ibid  

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Acknowledgement
The content of this paper builds upon the concepts developed in the context of
the joint IEA (International Energy Agency) SHC (Solar Heating and Cooling
Program) Task 40 and EBC (Energy in Buildings and Communities Program)
Annex 52: Towards net Zero Energy Solar Buildings, involving the participation
of 82 national experts and Regular Participants from 19 member countries from
October 2009 To September 2013 (http://task40.iea-shc.org/).

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