A Case Study on PV-Aided Net Zero-Energy Building: the Daycare in IKCU

Abstract

At the core of our growing societies, energy supply stands as one of the major concerns today, and it will be an inevitable challenge for our near future. As the nations are looking to find solutions for the transition from fossil fuels – depleting at a high rate – to alternative energy sources, solar energy through PV cells is getting attention as an affordable and easily implemented option especially for power supply in commercial and residential buildings. This work consists in analyzing the possibility to cover the entire energy needs of a building via PV solar cells for the case of a constructed daycare. In this case study, HVAC energy requirement has been calculated by the TS825 standard. The standard specifies a method for calculating the net heating/ventilation energy need and provides the rules for calculating the maximum allowable temperature in buildings. First, dimensions of the investigated building are taken and characteristics affecting the thermal insulation are assessed. Then, other energy needs, mainly lighting and electrical devices, are computed in the analysis as internal electricity needs. The scope of this work extends to the assessment of indoor air quality for occupants of building, which is an important aspect in our case study where the occupants are children. ASHRAE standards 62.1 is utilized for this purpose. The standard specifies minimum ventilation rates and other measures intended to provide acceptable indoor air quality to human occupants and that minimizes adverse health effects. The results are obtained for monthly varying solar exposition in the specified area where the building is located to provide supply for the determined energy demand via solar energy. Finally, monocrystalline PV panel system has been proposed with proper orientation and adequate power potential. Based on the obtained results, as well as the economical aspect, inferences and suggestions are made for improvements.