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Feasibility study of using solar energy as a renewable source in office buildings in different climatic regions

Shoaib Khanmohammadi (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kermanshah University of Technology, Kermanshah, Iran)
Mohammad Zanjani (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran)
Farzad Veysi (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran)

World Journal of Engineering

ISSN: 1708-5284

Article publication date: 1 May 2019

Issue publication date: 20 May 2019

333

Abstract

Purpose

Present research focus on using solar energy as a renewable option for office buildings in different climatic conditions in Iran. To seeking a way to use clean solar energy and reduce current expense in buildings an investigation carried out. Nine office buildings in various climatic regions selected as case studies. Through a precise examination, buildings specifications, energy demand and climate information carried out. In the first step based on the buildings type and hot water demand, solar water heater systems designed for each case. In the second step, a cost-benefit analysis is done to detriment the economic aspects of implement aforementioned type of solar system. A cost-benefit analysis is done from saving energy and return time of investment point of view. Results indicate that solar water heater with low investment about US$500 and payback time between 2 and 5 years can be noticed as a desirable renewable option in case studies. Furthermore, analysis reveals that thermal load of building is more effective on fuel saving in building, while solar radiation intensity has more effective on the payback in solar water heater utilization.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study based on thermal load of nine building office and radiation of different part of Kermnashah province, the possibility of solar water system is investigated.

Findings

Analyses reveal that the thermal load of building is more effective on fuel saving, while solar radiation intensity has more effective on the payback in solar water heater utilization. The main originality goes back to consideration of different meteorological conditions in solar water heater selection.

Keywords

Citation

Khanmohammadi, S., Zanjani, M. and Veysi, F. (2019), "Feasibility study of using solar energy as a renewable source in office buildings in different climatic regions", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 213-221. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-06-2017-0147

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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