Building-integrated Photovoltaic Impacts on Mediterranean Urban Microclimates

This chapter interrogates the often-overlooked thermal consequences of building-integrated photovoltaic systems in Mediterranean coastal cities, where the pursuit of urban sustainability collides with the persistent challenge of outdoor thermal discomfort. Through advanced microscale climate simulations using the ENVI-met model, the study evaluates the influence of building-integrated photovoltaic installations on pedestrian-level thermal comfort in Limassol, Thessaloniki, and Naples. Despite the well-documented energy benefits of photovoltaic technologies, their capacity to reshape urban microclimates remains largely unsubstantiated in these southern European contexts. The findings demonstrate that building-integrated photovoltaic systems induce only minor thermal shifts, typically between 0.5 °C and 2.0 °C, that fall short of substantially improving thermal comfort or mitigating the urban heat island effect. Notably, these effects are geographically and morphologically contingent, with east–west street canyons exhibiting the most pronounced, albeit limited, variations. The research underscores that photovoltaic integration, while essential for energy transition, cannot singularly address the complexities of urban liveability in heat-stressed environments. Effective thermal resilience in Mediterranean cities demands integrated strategies combining energy technologies with vegetative, reflective, and shading interventions. By foregrounding this critical nuance, the chapter advances a more context-sensitive, human-centred approach to sustainable urban design.