Flyer and Brochures - Energy Efficient Buildings

Buildings account for a high share of total energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions nationwide. Building-integrated PV (BIPV) can significantly improve the CO2 balance of a building, ideally to the point of a zero-energy or plus-energy building.

Heating and cooling accounts for some 40% of Germany’s total fi nal energy consumption, with space heating and hot water responsible for over 80% of the energy consumed in households. This makes it imperative to cover heating demand – and, increasingly, cooling demand – as effi ciently and sustainably as possible. Heat pump technology has a key role to play in meeting these requirements.

Windows and façades play a crucial role in the overall energy performance of buildings with respect to daylight, solar heat gains and thermal losses. The optimal use of daylight to achieve low energy costs and visual comfort is one R&D focus at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.