Porto Marina Grande

Localization: Capri
Year: 2012
Project Team: Francesco Colarossi, Luisa Saracino, Paolo Colarossi

International Competition: 1st PRIZE 

The project was placed first in the International competition “Solar energy for Italy’s minor islands” advertised by ENEA, GSE, MareVivo, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities.

The ports of many minor islands feature one or more large moles with foundations set in the sea, which surround and confine the inner sheet of water.

Along these “arms” tourists, fishermen and dockworkers walk, wait and work respectively. In most cases, such places are exposed to the open sun and provide no shelter at all. The installation of canopies offering protection from the sun well matches the search of a suitable spot that could host a system of photovoltaic panels.

The chosen place already features a strong anthropization, therefore reduces the environmental and landscape impact upon the valuable territory of Minor Islands.

The port of Capri, Marina Grande, is in this sense a typical example of the above mentioned case.

  1. DESCRIPTION OF INSTALLATION PROCEDURES AND USE OF THE DEVICE WHILE HIGHLIGHTING REPLICABILITY FEATURES. Tapping is designed to provide a higher level of transparency compared to traditional photovoltaic panels. This feature is given by the elements of the package: two glass covers 3 mm thick enclosing a film of monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, spaced out in order to allow sunlight to shine through them. Size and materials of the components guarantee high levels of transparency and lightness, and also provide an aptitude for replication in modular structures.The installation of modules is achieved through a system of “spider-like” joints, similar to those used in structural glazing panels, which support and direct the photovoltaic panel towards the best exposure to sunlight.This modulated tapping can be installed on plane surfaces as canopies and flat roofs, reducing the landscape impact of the intervention thanks to the transparency and lightness features mentioned above.Therefore, the photovoltaic panel becomes a pleasant element of street furniture that could be replicated and connected to the structure with a canopy function, exemplified in the submitted project.The designed set-up system allows the installation of panels upon a secondary beam frame that could be made out of laminated wood.The subsequent layer consists of a double bored panelling that shields the set-up system, and which could be made of light wood.This very last layer shields the panels during the day without darkening and creating a natural effect of light and shadows along the path, while during the night an appropriate lighting system made of flexible neon lamps provides the opportunity to have a suggestive walk along the mole.The resulted effect is that of walking under a shining carpet of leaves.
  2. FINAL USE OF PRODUCED ENERGY AND APPLICATION RANGE OF THE PROJECT. Consignees of produced energy may be public or private actors, depending on the application range of the product.In case of a private application range, the panel could be easily installed on residential flat roofs, thanks to its reduced weight and the high level of transparency, thus well integrating with the island’s typical architecture.In case of public actors, the panels could be installed on canopies and flat or sloping roofs, and they could also be used to supply the island’s whole electric energy requirements for public lighting.
  3. CONSIDERATIONS ON FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT. The achievement of this proposition does not involve particular difficulties regarding availability of materials and components or regarding installation procedures.The latest monocrystalline silicon film used in the project is already available, and has already been tested for its installation between two glass covers, it also achieved excellent results in terms of energy accumulation and maintenance.Local firms could be appointed for working and assembling the primary and secondary frame made of laminated wood beams, thus creating jobs on the spot.
  4. ENERGETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCES. The designed panels use a monocrystalline silicon cell technology applied to glazed supports, just as the prototypes already distributed in China by “Zhejiang Trunsun Solar Co.”.The designed module has the following energetic features:Maximum Power: 160wMaximum Power Voltage (Vmp): 35.45VMaximum Power Current (Imp): 4.51AOpen Circuit Voltage (Voc): 42.27VShort Circuit Current (Isc): 4.90AIn the above mentioned case, the energy provided by the system, around 750.000 kwh/year, can assure the supply of energetic requirements for 270 families.Total surface covered by photovoltaic panels: 4.270 square metersThis would mean achieving a system of monocrystalline silicon modules that provides around 530 kWp.Total energy produced: 747.250 kWh/year