Solar energy use feasibility and foreseeable impacts of the recent reforms to the urban and building code: Proposals for the city of Mendoza, Argentina

Abstract

The aim of this study is to generate knowledge that allows proposing actions leading to greater measures of energy and environmental sustainability of the regional urban systems, as a function of their morphologic features and available solar resources. On the first stage, the work has concentrated on the analysis of urban zones of high density, considering the results obtained by the use of relevant solar energy indicators and the implementation of statistical analysis. The indicators show relationships between urban morphology and access to solar resources in Mendoza’s Metropolitan Area. They include: Effective Insolation Factor (FAE) and Volumetric Insolation Factor (FAV). The results from the statistical analysis have allowed evaluating the relative weight of each morphologic variable on each indicator, in different morphologic alternatives and their combinations, which is the substantial part of this research. On the second stage, the preliminary results of a study are presented. It is aimed at determining the adverse environmental and energy consequences of implementing Mendoza’s Municipality recently modified Urban and Building Code, with a function of FAV and the solar access reduction estimation from the reference situation (present without changes) and the future situation, on mid and long terms evolution of Mendoza’s unique character, internationally recognized as a valuable example of an “oasis city”, which should be presented. So far, the results indicate that the reductions of the available solar energy per unit of built volume, are substantial: 46,32% for north facing walls and 60,38% for roofs.