Comparative Analysis and Simulation of Solar PV vs Conventional Electricity Consumption in an Institutional Building

Abstract

Energy is an indispensable and important facility for the social, economic and sustainable development. Energy demand is being influenced by the swift improvements in infrastructure, economic growth, growth in population, income per capita, and changes in demography (such as increasing urbanization and industrialization). Buildings expend around 33% of worldwide energy. While in Pakistan, buildings use practically 59% of all energy utilized. Globally the paramount matter of discussion for last some decades is energy crisis. Energy usage for different facilities and requirements can be controlled by continuous energy audit. Energy audit includes proper planning, administering supply and usage ratio of energy utilization and suggesting measurements to maximize potency and minimize costs of energy This study aimed to compare and analyze electrical energy consumption by conventional and solar resources in selected areas of XC building Bahria University, Islamabad Campus and also tried to estimate reduction of CO2 emissions by using solar electricity. All measurements were taken for 6 weeks and then simulated on the LEAP software. According to the findings of present study, the demand of electricity for solar-powered rooms was 1978.04 kWh for 30 days of 6 weeks. Whereas, conventionally powered rooms demand was recorded as the 15724.29 kWh. The difference in the demand was occurred as the air conditioner consumption of solar-operated rooms was exempted from the study, because they were operating on conventional electricity. Cost of production of electricity in conventionally powered rooms was calculated about 645 Rupees per day that was about 19350 Rupees for 30 days of study. Whereas, the cost of production for rooms working on solar electricity remains zero but the payback time can be calculated. The payback time for solar panels installed was found about 3.4 years. According to the calculations made for conventionally operated rooms, the CO2 emissions per month are almost 6300.53 kgCO2e which will be about 75606.36 kg CO₂e/year. While there are no emissions for the other class rooms operating on solar energy. In wake of findings made in this study, it is recommended to plan for renewable energy injection to compensate for the environmental impacts of coal and gas and lower the tariff in long term. It is also recommended to try to utilize the day light and conserve electricity as much as possible.