1. Energy Efficiency: A solar engineer can assess the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating solar energy systems into building renova8ons. This includes installing solar panels for electricity generation and thermal systems for hot water and heating.
2. Consumption Analysis: Carrying out a detailed analysis of the building’s energy consumption prior to refurbishment is crucial. A solar engineer can identify areas for improvement and propose specific solutions to optimise the use of solar energy and reduce dependence on conventional sources.
3. Custom Design: Every building has unique characteristics that affect its ability to take advantage of solar energy. A specialist engineer can design custom solutions to suit the orientation of the building, the amount of available sunlight and other site-specific factors.
4. Grid Integration: Some retrofits may include connecting the building to the electricity grid to sell the excess solar energy generated. A solar engineer can manage this integration, ensuring that local requirements and regulations are met.
5. Sustainability and Profitability: Assessing long-term sustainability and profitability is essential. A solar engineer can perform return on investment (ROI) calculations and determine the economic viability of investing in solar technologies, considering both upfront costs and benefits over time.
6. Monitoring and Maintenance: After installation, an engineer can set up monitoring systems and provide guidelines for the proper maintenance of solar equipment. This ensures opMal performance throughout the life of the systems.
7. Education and Awareness: A solar engineer can educate building owners and users about the benefits of solar energy and how to maximize its use. Awareness-raising is crucial to ensure a successful trans/on to more sustainable practices.

In short, the presence of an engineer specialising in solar energy in the building renovation process is essential to reap the full benefits of this renewable energy source and make a significant contribution to the sustainability of the building.