Built as part of the facilities for the 1972 Summer Olympic Games, the Munich Olympic Village now faces the challenge of preparing for the future with regard to climate protection and energy efficiency—no small task for a listed heritage site that was added to Germany’s UNESCO World Heritage tentative list in 2023. As part of a comprehensive analysis and planning process, the photovoltaic potential of the rooftops, façades, and balconies across the Olympic Village was examined in terms of energy yield, technical feasibility, and design requirements.
 

Using a 3D solar potential analysis model, it was determined that about two-thirds of the roof surfaces have a high to very high solar potential, theoretically enough to supply approximately half of the village’s households with solar power. A particular challenge for the listed ensemble lies in meeting the design requirements of heritage conservation. The focus is on investigating the different roof and façade constructions of the various building typologies and how panel installations can be integrated in a way that is technically feasible, compliant with heritage regulations, and aesthetically appropriate. The goal is to harmoniously incorporate PV systems into the protected environment without letting them dominate the overall visual character.
 

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.