Unlocking Sustainability Potential: UCT's Solar PV Systems as a Living Lab Model

This paper highlights the synergy between the Living Lab approach and UCT's solar PV systems, illustrating a practical model for sustainability initiatives. Section IV offers a real-world application of the Living Lab framework, showcasing the university's transition to solar PV systems and its significant potential. The framework's ten key elements find resonance in the selection, setup, and monitoring of these systems. UCT's current PV infrastructure, representing just 2% of its potential, emphasizes the room for growth and integration of sustainable practices. The results show that if 80% of the available space (26 434 m
²
) is used, UCT could achieve 4,86 GWh of energy and reduce 5,05 kilotons of carbon emissions. The value of the existing system lies not only in energy generation but also in the data-driven approach, which informs adjustments and further expansion. This symbiotic relationship between framework and implementation is a paradigm for institutions seeking holistic sustainability in a real-world context.