Impact of Solar Energy on Urban Design (Case Study, Benban՛s PV Solar Park)

At present, about 50 % of the world’s population lives in cities and by 2050 this number will rise to 68 % (UN; 2014). Cities consume more than two-thirds of the world’s primary energy and emit more than 70 % of the world’s greenhouse gases.  As a major energy consumer, the buildings sector accounts for 28 % of global total carbon emissions and this proportion will continue to grow especially in developing countries. The rapid urbanization has placed a heavy burden on the environment and energy, which means that effective measures must be taken to meet the growing urban energy demand. Reducing building energy consumption and increasing the use of renewable energy is considered to be one of the most effective means to meet the current energy challenges, and this view has become the consensus of policymakers and researchers .In recent years, solar energy has gained popularity as a renewable energy source, and its incorporation into building design has emerged as a crucial element in creating sustainable and energy-efficient constructions and decreasing in greenhouse gas emissions and the total carbon footprint of a building structure .The use of solar energy into architectural design can help create healthier interior environments for building inhabitants, aids in lowering indoor air pollution and enhancing overall indoor air quality by lessening the requirement for conventional energy sources like coal and natural gas. In addition a building may generate its own electricity by adding solar panels, which eliminates the need to buy energy from the grid. Over time, this reduces energy costs and generates a return on investment. One of the most promising renewable energy technologies is photovoltaic (PV) which is a truly elegant means of producing electricity on site, directly from the sun, without concern for energy supply or environmental harm, make electricity out of sunlight, silently with no maintenance, no pollution, and no depletion of materials. Alongside wind energy, solar PV would lead the way in the transformation of the global electricity sector. Cumulative installed capacity of solar PV would rise to 8 519 GW by 2050 becoming the second prominent source (after wind) by 2050. Moreover a Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) system consists of integrating photovoltaic modules into the building envelope, such as the roof or the façade. By simultaneously serving as building envelope material and power generator, BIPV systems can provide savings in materials and electricity costs, reduce use of fossil fuels and emission of ozone depleting gases, and add architectural interest to the building. The research study investigated how critical factors such as latitude and season; size, dimensions, orientation; roof specifications, local climate and other characteristics of the installation site of Photovoltaic Cells could affect the amount of solar energy absorbed which in turn could affect the feasibility and performance of the solar panel. So, the aim of this study is to assess the impact of photovoltaic application on the urban landscape like Benban Village in Aswan to mobilize private investment to help building the world's largest solar PV power plants as well as stimulating economic growth, creating direct and indirect jobs in the project construction phase, reducing harmful emissions by feeding homes with clean energy, and launching more mega projects across the country for a new Egypt by proposing an integrated spatial plan for a benbanꞌs PV solar park complex( Grand Benban) .This is achieved through introducing various application levels of PV on surface facades on Benban park in Aswan. Such projects also aimed to establish giant projects all over the country for a better future for Egypt. The results had shown that environmental harmony, power generation, innovative design, installation height and technique and social benefits of PV system are the main impacts of the PV system on urban landscape and Aswan will be the cornerstone of the field of solar energy over the world in the future. In conclusion, this research guides the focus of urban and town planning and design on the application of solar energy and its impact on economy and recommends the future research directions on solar urban planning .