Decentralised Solar Resilience: The Transition towards Resilient Communities through the Integration of Distributed Solar PV Systems in the Urban Environment.

Abstract

This design-led research, Decentralised Solar Resilience, explores the possibility of solar power generation integrated into communities and cities in Aotearoa. The design proposal is in response to the ongoing climate crisis of this century as an act to be resilient while mitigating its damaging effects. The centralisation of solar was discussed with its current implementation of solar farms in New Zealand, however, the decentralisation of these systems favoured a more integrative approach within the urban environment. Thus, the strategy was adopted within the design proposal, a solar station, to host these systems and become a central link for an interconnected system for energy storage, generation and distribution, as well as a disaster relief centre.

The solar station is integrated into communities not only to provide energy security and resilience on and off-site but also the transition to a new norm within the electrical infrastructure. It functions as a place for energy services and a space for communal activity, serving dual purposes of electrical and social regeneration. Like a tree, the intervention will be planted in Manukau; a suburb in south Auckland and grow into a rooted interconnected urban environment, being part of the community’s infrastructure and beginning of an energy-resilient city.

This architectural integration was landed by investigating the question, “How can solar photovoltaic systems be implemented to adapt and mitigate against climate change for more resilient communities?”. A literature review was carried out to evaluate the current standings within the global and local solar industry. This revealed the need for action within New Zealand against climate change through its lack of movement towards decentralised solar energy. Analysing existing solar PV implementations and integration within the community for a solar transition; presented a building, the solar station. This proposal was refined through design-led research of mapping, calculative simulation and precedent studies through an energy-resilient framework.