The actual trigger of the assessment of the solar energy resources is an initiative supported by the cantonal parliament requesting the government "to create an inventory of the surface areas on public buildings that are suitable for solar energy production purposes as well as to analyse the technical feasibility and opportunities for solar thermal and photovoltaic installations.” The Canton of Geneva has about 430’000 inhabitants, 78’000 buildings of which approximately 9’500 are "public buildings” owned by a total of 21 different types of public bodies on a territory covering 280 km2.

The approach has therefore many interesting features and challenging elements. Two main characteristics: first, a multi-stakeholder approach — from different authorities and departments (mainly DIAE Department for Environment and Energy and DAEL Department for Urban Planning and Buildings), via building owners to the power market and its multi-utility and customers — is needed to consult and involve the relevant people and institutions so that the different sectors concerned can actually support the analysis and subsequent conclusions for the strategy to be implemented. Second, the quantitative and qualitative dimensions ask for an innovative and efficient technical approach using up — to-date interfaces and tools, e. g. based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and proven assessment procedures in order to seize solar and architectural data on buildings and link them with other statistical data.

Innovation

By concentrating on the needs of and strong interaction with the defined target audience and on collecting and linking the solar energy relevant building data, the assessment of the solar energy resources is providing information, tools and networks that help enhance and strengthen the local energy policy. Examples for the scientific innovation and relevance are:

• Multi-stakeholder process bringing together different sectors relevant in the implementation of solar energy in an urban area

• Large-scale study of the solar energy resources in the Geneva territory

• Detailed analysis of the solar-architectural suitability in the public building stock

• Implementation oriented assessment of technical feasibility and opportunities

• Formulation of recommendations for further strategies in developing solar energy in the local urban context