Paper

David or Goliath? Empowering Architecture through Energy at Scale

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Abstract

The rapid rise and projected growth of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation in the United States may be the most physical and visible expression of technology in the American landscape by 2050. Will new PV systems be dominated by Goliath-scale utilities or will David-scale integration with architecture and communities prevail?  Determining the future of who controls energy from the Sun will likely be an epic struggle. This paper compares categorical performance characteristics of PV systems at national utility-scale to those at local building-scale, and envisions a future of democratized energy expressed architecturally. This future is illustrated through a design project for existing buildings.

Keywords: utility scale PV, solar photovoltaics

How to Cite:

Nelson, R., (2025) “David or Goliath? Empowering Architecture through Energy at Scale”, Building Technology Educators’ Society 2025(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.7275/btes.3511