Multi-criteria approach for the quality analysis of solar energy integration in mountain huts

Abstract

Many countries have similar technical and architectural issues linked to solar energy integration in isolated mountain dwellings nowadays. In order to promote energy policies able to improve the solar energy potential use, it is necessary to set up multi-criteria approaches for producing improved diagnostic analysis. This study, conducted in eight mountain huts located in the Beaufortain region, in French Alps, shows the advantages and limitations of these approaches. Even if analysis criteria can be easily identified, the search for data allowing an accurate assessment is often difficult for isolated mountain dwellings. The results of this original study show the importance of multi-criteria analysis for technical and architectural issues linked to solar energy integration in isolated mountain dwellings by taking into account their natural environment, the elements of their bioclimatic architecture, their solar production conditions and their energy needs.