Rethinking Heritage: The Energy Transition in the Olympic Village
Built as part of the facilities for the 1972 Summer Olympic Games, the Munich Olympic Village must now adapt to meet climate and energy goals—no small feat for a listed heritage site that has been nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In a comprehensive analysis and planning process, the Framework Plan for Photovoltaics and Renewable Energies evaluated the solar potential of the rooftops, façades, and balconies of the village’s various building types in terms of energy yield, technical feasibility, and architectural requirements. The next phase will focus on design criteria. The individual roof and façade structures will be assessed to determine how solar panels can be integrated in a technically sound and heritage-compliant way.
A solar potential analysis using a 3D model was conducted to assess solar radiation across the entire Olympic Village. The results show that 65,000 square meters of roof area—about two-thirds of all rooftops—have high to very high solar potential. Theoretically, this could supply about half of the households in the village with solar power. The study also examines options for storing and using the generated electricity.
The study’s findings will be published in a handbook intended as a practical guide for decision-making, planning, and implementing photovoltaic systems. This analysis represents a first step toward a comprehensive framework plan and a municipal heritage concept aimed at advancing the energy-efficient renovation of the Olympic Village and the entire Olympic Park.