Criteria to Establish an Evaluation Methodology for the Qualification of the Visual Impact of Solar Thermal Systems on Urban Landscapes

This paper introduces the criteria to establish a methodology for the valuation and evaluation of the visual impact that may be produced by solar thermal energy systems on urban landscapes. A systematics to interrelate the characteristics of solar thermal systems and the characteristics of the urban landscape by means of matrixes is introduced. Three different urban landscape typologies have been considered. The result of the interaction shall be the visual impact of a solar thermal system on an urban landscape, which may vary from a minimum to a maximum (including different levels of acceptance).