Estimation of the effects of an intensive solar intervention in the historical centre of jaén (Spain)

This paper is directed at evaluating the theoretical potential of an intensive solar intervention in the historical centre of the city of Jaén (Spain). Using the outputs of a solar intervention proposal comprising biomass, photovoltaics and solar thermal domestic hot water (DHW) over a 50‐building sample (in which those suitable for solar measures have been selected by evaluating each one over a collection of parameters), energy savings, environmental benefits and economic aspects of the envisaged actions are extrapolated over the entire historical centre. A saving of about 70% of conventional source energy annual consumption and a decrease of some 70% and 73% of CO 2 and SO x annual releases, respectively, could be reached with respect to the present situation. Besides, an amount of conventionally generated electricity equivalent to the yearly photovoltaic‐generated electricity would require 131500 m 3 of water a year, which is a rather significant feature for a dry climate like that of the city. the unitary cost of energy in the new scenario would be 60.7 pta kWh‐ 1 for photovoltaics, 329.9 pta m‐ 3 for DHW using solar thermal installations and 4.6 Pta kWh‐ 1 for biomass heating (1 US$ = 132.7 pta; 1 ECU = 160.9 pta).