Photovoltaic potential of public buildings in a world Heritage city: The case of San Cristóbal de La Laguna (Canary Islands, Spain)

A study on the photovoltaic potential of public buildings in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage city in Tenerife (Canary Islands), reveals significant capacity for solar energy generation. The research analyzed sports centers, educational centers, and civic centers under two scenarios: optimal and maximum production. Findings indicate that the city's buildings could generate up to 8,811 MWh annually under the maximum scenario, with a 771% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional energy sources. In the optimal scenario, 56% of energy would be generated, with 31% consumed on-site and 25% fed into the grid, while CO2 emissions would decrease by 75%. The study highlights the trade-off between economic profitability in optimal systems and environmental benefits in maximum systems, emphasizing the potential for clean energy transition in island-dependent regions.

Cruz-Pérez, N., Santamarta, J. C., Rodríguez-Martín, J., Beltrán, R. F., & García-Gil, A. (2023). Photovoltaic potential of public buildings in a world Heritage city: The case of San Cristóbal de La Laguna (Canary Islands, Spain). Renewable Energy, 209, 357–364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.03.127