• Energy Research

Globally, solar energy has become a major contributor to the rapid adoption of renewable energy. Significant energy savings have resulted from the widespread utilization of solar energy in the industrial, residential, and commercial divisions. This review article comprises research conducted over the past 15 years (2008–2023), utilizing a comprehensive collection of 163 references. Significantly, a considerable focus is directed towards the period from 2020 to 2023, encompassing an extensive investigation into the latest developments in solar panel technology in civil engineering. The article examines the incorporation of solar panels into building designs and addresses installation-related structural considerations. In addition, the present review examines the applications of solar panels in terms of innovative infrastructure development applications of solar panels, such as photovoltaic parking lot canopies and photovoltaic noise barriers, which contribute to improved energy efficiency. It also emphasizes their role in water management systems, including water treatment plants, water pumping and irrigation systems, energy-efficient solar desalination technologies, and promoting sustainable water practices. In addition, this study examines how solar panels have been incorporated into urban planning, including smart cities and public parks, thereby transforming urban landscapes into greener alternatives. This study also examined the use of solar panels in building materials, such as façade systems and solar-powered building envelope solutions, demonstrating their versatility in the construction industry. This review explores the diverse applications of solar energy, which promotes sustainable practices in various industries. Owing to the ongoing research, solar energy holds great promise for a greener and cleaner future.

Globally, solar energy has become a major contributor to the rapid adoption of renewable energy. Significant energy savings have resulted from the widespread utilization of solar energy in the industrial, residential, and commercial divisions. This review article comprises research conducted over the past 15 years (2008–2023), utilizing a comprehensive collection of 163 references. Significantly, a considerable focus is directed towards the period from 2020 to 2023, encompassing an extensive investigation into the latest developments in solar panel technology in civil engineering. The article examines the incorporation of solar panels into building designs and addresses installation-related structural considerations. In addition, the present review examines the applications of solar panels in terms of innovative infrastructure development applications of solar panels, such as photovoltaic parking lot canopies and photovoltaic noise barriers, which contribute to improved energy efficiency. It also emphasizes their role in water management systems, including water treatment plants, water pumping and irrigation systems, energy-efficient solar desalination technologies, and promoting sustainable water practices. In addition, this study examines how solar panels have been incorporated into urban planning, including smart cities and public parks, thereby transforming urban landscapes into greener alternatives. This study also examined the use of solar panels in building materials, such as façade systems and solar-powered building envelope solutions, demonstrating their versatility in the construction industry. This review explores the diverse applications of solar energy, which promotes sustainable practices in various industries. Owing to the ongoing research, solar energy holds great promise for a greener and cleaner future.

A Passive House (PH) system is not only an opportunity but also a necessity for the further development of sustainable eco-buildings. Construction of the foundation in energy-efficient houses is the key to maintaining low energy losses. The appropriate selection of building materials requires considering the thermal conditions of the environment, including its location and the zero isotherms in the ground. The main objective of this work is to analyze the possibilities of designing foundations for PHs in Poland, according to the current methodological data. In order to realize the basic aims, the work was divided into the following materials and methods: (I) literature review; (II) database of PH in Central Europe; (III) method of depth of ground freezing determination; (IV) selection of the joint of slab-on-ground foundation and external wall to analysis; (V) description and validation of the heat-transfer model. The result of the research work is: (i) analysis of the foundation under the conditions of freezing of the ground in Poland; (ii) description and validation of the heat-transfer model. The research has revealed that in the Polish climate zone, the most efficient solution for passive buildings is to build them on a foundation slab. The foundation of a building below the latest specified ground frost depths in Poland is inefficient in terms of, for example, thermal insulation, economics, and the idea of PH.

A Passive House (PH) system is not only an opportunity but also a necessity for the further development of sustainable eco-buildings. Construction of the foundation in energy-efficient houses is the key to maintaining low energy losses. The appropriate selection of building materials requires considering the thermal conditions of the environment, including its location and the zero isotherms in the ground. The main objective of this work is to analyze the possibilities of designing foundations for PHs in Poland, according to the current methodological data. In order to realize the basic aims, the work was divided into the following materials and methods: (I) literature review; (II) database of PH in Central Europe; (III) method of depth of ground freezing determination; (IV) selection of the joint of slab-on-ground foundation and external wall to analysis; (V) description and validation of the heat-transfer model. The result of the research work is: (i) analysis of the foundation under the conditions of freezing of the ground in Poland; (ii) description and validation of the heat-transfer model. The research has revealed that in the Polish climate zone, the most efficient solution for passive buildings is to build them on a foundation slab. The foundation of a building below the latest specified ground frost depths in Poland is inefficient in terms of, for example, thermal insulation, economics, and the idea of PH.

One of crucial waste management problems is the management of organic waste. This activity employs the composting. In case of green waste, its application seems reasonable, whereas the use of selected mixed waste raises problems related to the compost quality. Across countries, the non-sterile organic fraction of municipal solid waste is being separated through the mechanical-biological treatment. The technology is a solution of waste treatment and meets objectives set out in the Landfill Directive. There are many problems associated with the use of output products. The use of compost as a fertilizer requires determination of its impact on the environment. Compost quality can be assessed using analytical methods and phytotoxicity tests. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe changes in physico-chemical, enzymatic, phytotoxicity and vegetation parameters occurring in composts from two systems - a prismatic installation for green waste, and a mechanical-biological treatment installation. The compost from green waste exhibited greater stability. Values of dehydrogenase activity were lower if compared with the mechanically and biologically treated compost, which indicates lower compost maturity. The biomass production of Brassica napus L. and Fetuca rubra L. was higher in the variant with the application of green compost. The influence on Hordeum vulgare L., Cannabis sativa L., and Sinapis alba L. depended on the plant type and the compost used. Nevertheless, the compost from green waste was less toxic. The evidence from this study suggests that the mechanical-biological treatment had problems associated with the maturation and quality of the final product.

One of crucial waste management problems is the management of organic waste. This activity employs the composting. In case of green waste, its application seems reasonable, whereas the use of selected mixed waste raises problems related to the compost quality. Across countries, the non-sterile organic fraction of municipal solid waste is being separated through the mechanical-biological treatment. The technology is a solution of waste treatment and meets objectives set out in the Landfill Directive. There are many problems associated with the use of output products. The use of compost as a fertilizer requires determination of its impact on the environment. Compost quality can be assessed using analytical methods and phytotoxicity tests. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe changes in physico-chemical, enzymatic, phytotoxicity and vegetation parameters occurring in composts from two systems - a prismatic installation for green waste, and a mechanical-biological treatment installation. The compost from green waste exhibited greater stability. Values of dehydrogenase activity were lower if compared with the mechanically and biologically treated compost, which indicates lower compost maturity. The biomass production of Brassica napus L. and Fetuca rubra L. was higher in the variant with the application of green compost. The influence on Hordeum vulgare L., Cannabis sativa L., and Sinapis alba L. depended on the plant type and the compost used. Nevertheless, the compost from green waste was less toxic. The evidence from this study suggests that the mechanical-biological treatment had problems associated with the maturation and quality of the final product.

The experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of trace element immobilizing soil amendments, i.e., chalcedonite, dolomite, halloysite, and diatomite on the chemical characteristics of soil contaminated with Cr and the uptake of metals by plants. The study utilized analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA) and Factor Analysis (FA). The content of trace elements in plants, pseudo-total and extracted by 0.01 M CaCl2, were determined using the method of spectrophotometry. All of the investigated element contents in the tested parts of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) differed significantly in the case of applying amendments to the soil, as well as Cr contamination. The greatest average above-ground biomass was observed when halloysite and dolomite were amended to the soil. Halloysite caused significant increases of Cr concentrations in the roots. The obtained values of bioconcentration and translocation factors observed for halloysite treatment indicate the effectiveness of using Indian mustard in phytostabilization techniques. The addition of diatomite significantly increased soil pH. Halloysite and chalcedonite were shown to be the most effective and decreased the average Cr, Cu and Zn contents in soil.

The experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of trace element immobilizing soil amendments, i.e., chalcedonite, dolomite, halloysite, and diatomite on the chemical characteristics of soil contaminated with Cr and the uptake of metals by plants. The study utilized analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA) and Factor Analysis (FA). The content of trace elements in plants, pseudo-total and extracted by 0.01 M CaCl2, were determined using the method of spectrophotometry. All of the investigated element contents in the tested parts of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) differed significantly in the case of applying amendments to the soil, as well as Cr contamination. The greatest average above-ground biomass was observed when halloysite and dolomite were amended to the soil. Halloysite caused significant increases of Cr concentrations in the roots. The obtained values of bioconcentration and translocation factors observed for halloysite treatment indicate the effectiveness of using Indian mustard in phytostabilization techniques. The addition of diatomite significantly increased soil pH. Halloysite and chalcedonite were shown to be the most effective and decreased the average Cr, Cu and Zn contents in soil.