The Roman city of Pompeii is one of the most impressive archaeological sites on the planet. Its visited by countless people who wish to see the still intact elements of architecture from Roman times. However for all this, you need electricity and lighting. Conventional lighting systems are quite expensive for such a large location and they also remove some of the charm of the site. So rather, the team managing the site is choosing a new solution: photovoltaic (PV) tiles that look just like the Roman ones.
No ancient civilization constructed quite along with the Romans, and the truth that numerous of their structures still stand is a testimony to that. For many years, weve improved at fixing and rebuilding Roman structures and getting them looking authentic. Having some something that looks Roman but serves a separate function is a various difficulty.
” Pompeii is an ancient city which in some spots is totally protected. Given that we required a substantial lightning system, we could either keep taking in energy, leaving poles and cable televisions around and injuring the landscape, or pick to respect it and conserve countless euros,” says Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.
Solar panel terracottas. Image credits: POCITYF.
Developing “Roman” solar panels
” Evora is a lovely city, on the top of a hill, dealing with south,” states Peterle, “Since its not flat, anywhere you are, you can essentially see every single roofing system of the city. The majority of them are red or terracotta however given that the photovoltaic panels are typically dark blue or black do not go unnoticed. This is why the town demanded carrying out an unnoticeable option.”
Its not simply a terracotta look, either. Stone, brick, wood, or concrete finishes can be done, and they can be installed on walls and floorings. However the idea isnt just to have them function as photovoltaic panels– they need to supply the function of a roofing system as well.
Image credits: Penn State University Library.
” They look precisely like the terracotta tiles used by the Romans, but they produce the electrical energy that we need to light the frescoes,” said Zuchtriegel.
The PV tiles are made from a polymer that enable the suns rays to filter through. They dont have the very same performance as traditional solar panels, but its still adequate to power the ancient city.
To do that, tiles are put by hand on the roofing system and then covered with another layer of polymer that permits sunshine to come through. Graziano Peterle, the Research and Development Manager of another historic city (Evora) seeking to incorporate the solution, states visitors wont even discriminate.
Heritage and sustainability
Its not the very first time Pompeii has utilized some hi-tech on its facilities. In 2022, the historical site utilized a robot canine to patrol its premises, trying to find damage or thieves.
“We are an archaeological website however we likewise desire to be a real-life laboratory for sustainability and valorization of intangible heritage. Our initiative is not simply symbolic. Through the million travelers who visit us every year, we want to send a message to the World: cultural heritage can be handled in a different way and in a more sustainable way,” concludes Zuchtriegel.
In the meantime, its still baby actions. However jobs like the ones in Pompeii and Evora work as an evidence of concept. Now, its time for policymakers to start promoting more projects like these ones, especially when it comes to repair work.
The initiative becomes part of a growing theme of incorporating sustainability and heritage protection. Releasing sustainable options in a historical city like Pompeii isnt always uncomplicated, however reducing energy expenses and improving regional sustainability deserve it.
” The very difficulty not to damage historical buildings for modern purposes is to utilize the most innovative services, appreciating their value and cultural heritage.”
” One essential aspect is to take a look at the cultural websites, ancient structures, and historical cities not as challenges, however as assets for reducing our carbon emissions,” states Francesca Giliberto, an architect focused on preservation and management and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Leeds.
” It is modest development, and there is still a long method to go,” says Giliberto. “But in the past 5 years the potential of culture and heritage has been extensively highlighted by UNESCO, and other global organizations. Now its up to policymakers and metropolitan planners to begin thinking differently: they must comprehend that as heritage specialists, they can make a big contribution to sustainable advancement.”
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Over the years, weve gotten much better at repairing and rebuilding Roman structures and getting them looking authentic. Its not just a terracotta appearance, either.” Evora is a beautiful city, on the top of a hill, facing south,” states Peterle, “Since its not flat, wherever you are, you can generally see every single roof of the city.
The Roman city of Pompeii is one of the most remarkable archaeological websites in the world. Instead, the group handling the website is deciding for a brand-new solution: photovoltaic (PV) tiles that look simply like the Roman ones.
