Solar energy and its estimated contribution to the energy demand of residential apartments in India through their envelopes: a technical and commercial approach

ABSTRACT

On-site deployment of renewable energy capacities for buildings in the cities is a prerequisite for most of the building energy codes in India. As residential energy consumption increases at a rapid rate due to intensive electrification and increased affordability, it is appropriate to generate it on-site to decongest the grid. Solar PV is viewed as a clean option in India with average peak sunshine of 4–6 kWh/day (1kWh = 3.6 MJ). In urban areas, the envelopes of dense residential towers for both rooftop and façade are seen as viable options to generate electricity. This research explores the solar potential of residential envelopes to meet energy demand. Solar energy potential of residential envelopes was mapped on the roofs and façades through color solar insolation mapping in DIVA–for–Rhino, and the amount of solar PV energy that could be generated was calculated. This amount was matched with the energy demand of residential blocks obtained from a survey conducted by a published source. By investigating the techno-commercial potential of residential blocks in representative cities in each of India’s four climate zones, it was found that rooftop photovoltaics RTPV would contribute up to 65–100% of common facilities (lifts and lights) consumption for Ground+20 floors. Facade offset was above 100% for all the cities for south- and west-facing façades for Ground+20 floors for common facilities. The payback period for common services’ energy consumption was economically attractive with around 6–7 years for rooftop and façade PV, as they have higher electricity tariffs than the individual household consumption tariff rate. The novelty of this research was in identifying the façade PV potential for multistory residential buildings for each of India’s climates. The study’s findings illustrate that rooftop and building integrated photovoltaics enable residential buildings to move toward self-reliance with respect to their energy needs, thereby contributing to decreased carbon emissions. Green building consultants, developers, and consumers will view this research as a viable means to reduce carbon footprints of residential buildings.

KEYWORDS:

• Decentralized Photovoltaics PV to meet the residential energy demand
• RTPV-Rooftop Photovoltaics and BIPV –Building integrated Photovoltaics potential on residential envelopes. PV for high-rise apartments in urban areas

Additional information

Notes on contributors

K. R. Shanmugavalli

Shanmugavalli K.R. is a Ph.D. holder,  from the School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University Chennai and  has 22 years of experience.

Ranee Vedamuthu

Ranee Vedamuthu is a Professor and Dean at the School of Architecture, Anna University, Chennai, and has more than 30 years of   Academic, Research, and Professional experience.