Introduction
Innovative Moduls
  Demonstration Objects
Solar information board
Solar quotation board
Solar flags
Solar pergola

Acceptability
Life Cycle Assessment
Itinerant Exhibition
Book Solar Design
Links
Contact

Demonstration Objects

The consortium had defined a number of criteria for the selection of appropriate sites, of which the aspect of transferability to other European regions was especially important. Another important criterion was the touristic use of the object, since tourism was assigned a function as a vehicle for information transfer. Furthermore the selection of sites was, of course, influenced by the exploitation interests of the different parties involved.

The sites for the demonstration objects were chosen in agreement with communes in Italy (Liguria) and Germany (South of Germany). The application of the innovative modules, which had been developed in the course of the project, was designed individually for each site. Thus it was possible to design and plan four demonstration objects, which are very different from each other. Three of them even involve protected monuments.

The four installations show clearly that it is possible to integrate highly technological building elements like photovoltaic modules into an existing setting in a sensitive and inconspicuous way. The solutions also convinced monument and landscape protection authorities, whose consent was necessary to realize the demonstration plants.

The products, which have been applied in the presented demonstration objects, are protected under patent law.

Locations

All four sites in Italy and Germany are located at especially sensitive places, which are listed as historic monuments or which are under landscape protection. Therefore they are also very important for the local tourism.

Italy: Porto Venere
The "Castello Doria" of Porto Venere (built in the 12th century) is situated on an exposed position above the protected old part of the picturesque town, which has belonged to the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites since 1996. Numerous tourists visit the castle all year round. From the terraces they enjoy the panoramic view of the gulf of La Spezia and the coast of Cinque Terre's national park. During the summer nights the diffuse light of the new photovoltaic plant serves as an atmospheric lighting of the amphitheater, where numerous festivities and concerts take place.

Italy: La Spezia
The "Castello di San Giorgio" (built in the 14th century) of La Spezia is situated on a hill above the old town and the harbour. The castle, which is under monumental protection, accomodates the "Museo Civico Archeologico Ubaldo Formentini" with the greatest local collection of archeological findings. All year round numerous tourists, locals and school classes come to visit the castle and the museum. The new information glass panel at the entrance of the museum can hardly be recognized as a photovoltaic plant. At night it shows the way to cultural events.

Italy: Bocca di Magra
The small harbour town of Bocca di Magra belongs to the community of Ameglia. It represents the eastern border of the scenic park "Parco Regionale Montemarcello Magra". The forested mountain range divides the estuary of the river Magra and the adjascent bay of La Spezia. Due to the extension of the harbour and the river bank with landing and anchor places for private boats and yachts the touristic significance increased rapidly. The three solar pergolas present multi-functional street furniture equipped with walls and seats. Especially during the evening hours and at night they are used by locals, visitors and anglers as a meeting place.

Germany: Marbach am Neckar
The town of Marbach am Neckar (near Stuttgart) is the birthplace of the German poet Friedrich Schiller. It accomodates the Schiller National Museum and the German literature archive. All year round, these significant institutions as well as the historic old town are visited by tourists and conference participants from all over the world. The square photovoltaic plant already welcomes visitors with a quotation from Schiller at the parking lot in front of the southern city wall.