Solar panels designed to resemble ancient Roman tiles or integrate seamlessly with historic skylines are being implemented in Pompeii and Évora, Portugal. These technologies aim to balance heritage preservation with the need for sustainable energy solutions.
This development demonstrates how advanced technology can be harmonized with the preservation of cultural heritage, offering a scalable model for other historic cities to pursue sustainability goals without sacrificing their unique character.
Solar panels are being integrated into historic sites like Pompeii and Évora, Portugal, in ways that preserve their architectural integrity. In Pompeii, panels designed to look like ancient Roman tiles are installed on the Villa of the Mysteries, generating electricity for the site. Évora is utilizing semi-transparent photovoltaic shingles on its City Hall, a technology developed by the Italian company Dyaqua, which embeds solar cells within a resin compound.
These initiatives are part of the European project POCITYF, aimed at helping historic cities like Évora balance heritage preservation with decarbonization goals. Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is exploring various solutions, including glass roofs with integrated panels and solar canopies, to achieve sustainability without compromising its historical character. The success of these technologies in such delicate environments suggests their potential for wider application.
The Dyaqua tile is constructed with a resin base, followed by soldered photovoltaic cells, and then sealed with another resin layer. This approach allows for energy generation while maintaining the aesthetic of traditional roofing materials. The project in Évora, along with similar efforts in Alkmaar, Netherlands, is evaluating these innovations for potential replication across Europe.