Solar energy, today, is the leader in renewable energy and the world's increasing new energy source. In 2016, for the first time, newly installed photovoltaic capacity has increased by more than 50%, exceeding the new coal-fired power stations capacity established worldwide. At the beginning of the year, the European Parliament agreed the target that 35% renewable sources by 2030. Studies show that by 2050 approximately 45% of all the households in the EU could produce their own renewable energy and more than a third of them could be part of a renewable energy cooperative, despite the worries of the distribution companies. Furthermore, the EPBD directive (EU) - Energy Performance of Buildings pushes towards new and more performing buildings - nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB) - where energy efficiency and energy flexibility are essential to achieve the required performance targets. Nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEBs) have very high energy performance and could be achieved through the integration of renewable and decentralized energy sources, continuous grid optimization and the inclusion of increasing numbers of consumers becoming producers, so called prosumers. So far, the photovoltaic system is the single technology that can combine data from utility networks with household consumption and therefore should be considered a starting point for streamlining the electricity consumption and production which will be imposed by strict regulations.
Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings of the Lombardy Region (Italy), a Case Study of High-Energy Performance Buildings
