Design aspects and perspectives for solar control of buildings with aesthetic and efficient solar thermal collectors and photovoltaics

New solar energy systems with efficient energy output and advanced aesthetics have been developed at the University of Patras last 20 years. Among them some collector types are effective in aesthetics and energy output, as the solar collectors with colored absorbers and the stationary CPC type collectors. The building integration of air cooled photovoltaics aiming to contribute to building ventilation and of hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems, to provide heat and electricity, are solar devices of particular practical value. In addition, Fresnel lenses with linear absorbers are also interesting devices to control the temperature and light of interior spaces. Aspects and perspectives for these systems give a figure of their advantages for cooling and other building energy demand. Laboratory scale studies give an idea about the application of these new solar systems.