Innovative solar integration: advancing sustainability in European buildings

14 Mar 2024

The SUNHORIZON project's five-year journey towards energy efficiency and emission reduction

The SUNHORIZON project, which has been under our coordination for five years, has led the way in developing and implementing an innovative energy-efficient system. This system seamlessly integrates hybrid and high vacuum solar panels with a range of heat pump technologies, transforming multiple pilot sites across Europe into practical testing grounds.

From residential homes in Riga, Latvia, to social housing in Madrid, and a civic center near Barcelona, our solutions have been evaluated and proven effective.

To ensure precise monitoring and evaluation of system performance, we've deployed a comprehensive sensor system. Tracking indoor temperature, humidity, and external weather conditions, this system provides data on technology performance and energy consumption patterns. This data-driven approach is pivotal in assessing the efficacy of our solutions.

Moreover, by harnessing advanced predictive modeling techniques, and sensor data, we're optimizing energy consumption for future days. This forward-looking strategy not only promises significant improvements in energy efficiency but also underscores our unwavering commitment to advancing sustainability across various climates and building types.

Our primary objective was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40-60%, a target we've successfully achieved in certain periods, with some pilots exceeding expectations. Across different demonstration sites, we've observed notable reductions in energy bills ranging from 10% to 30%, coupled with a substantial decrease in primary energy consumption, leading to savings of up to 50%.

This Project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement N. 818329