Journal for Research in Sciences and Technology Volume I,2016

Solar Energy Audit Services

Dr. Yogesh Pahariya
Principal, RKDF Institute of Science and Technology,
Bhopal

Dr. Sudhir Nigam

Principal, LNCTS, Bhopal

Abstract:-- The sun's heat and light provide an abundant source of energy that can be
harnessed in many ways. A variety of technologies take advantage of the solar energy, for heat,
electricity and lighting etc. Commercial, industrial and institutional buildings have large
exterior surfaces, which can collect solar energy. Solar energy can meet the large lighting, and
varied heating and cooling needs of these buildings. The two types of energy received from the
sun are light energy and thermal energy and both of them can be effectively utilized in lieu of
conventional energy source which pollute and degrade the environment. The only limitation that
solar energy possesses cannot be continuously used at night and / or non sunny days without
proper storage. Solar energy audit identifies opportunities to reduce the energy use and/or the
cost of operating a building or industrial process and reduce the dependency on conventional
energy uses. This paper discusses a new method of energy audit to reinstate conventional energy
source / appliance through means and methods of solar energy based system in residential,
commercial and industrial uses. This help to decide which of the recommended solar
modifications should implement, whether it's new construction, renovation, or retrofit; so as to
make an optimum utilization of solar energy in a cost effective manner. The audit reports also
provide the information about the government energy policy for encouragement to invest in
renewable energy including incentive. With the advancement in solar technology the suggest
method of solar energy audit will give a tool to policy makers and user to direct their decisions
for better use of solar energy. The suggested solar energy audit method will prospectively safe
guard the environment and reduce the burden on non renewable natural energy resources.

1. Introduction
The sun's heat and light provide an abundant source of energy that can be harnessed in many
ways. A variety of technologies take advantage of the solar energy, for heat, electricity and lighting etc.
The increasing power demand and subsequently energy has led to considerable consumption of fossil
fuels which has an adverse impact on environment. In this context use of Renewable Energy such as Solar
/ Wind etc., is of paramount importance. It is estimated that great deal for energy that can be saved
through Solar energy, energy conservation and energy efficiency for a energy-deficit Country like India.

Renewable energy applications have brought about significant changes in the Indian
energy scenario. Residential homes use smaller solar energy systems. Buildings using solar heating and
daylighting design strategies can operate more efficiently and create more pleasant environments for
working and living. Homeowners can also use solar technologies for heating and cooling and water
heating. Utilities and power plants are also taking advantage of the sun's abundant energy resource and
offering the benefits to their customers. Solar thermal power systems allow power plants to produce
electricity from the sun on a larger scale. With these systems, utility customers can ultimately take
advantage of solar power without making the investment in personal solar technology systems. Solar
power technologies, from individual home systems to large-scale concentrating solar power systems, have

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the potential to help meet growing electricity needs and provide diversity and reliability in electrical
supplies.

2. Solar Basics
The sun's heat and light provide an abundant source of energy that can be harnessed in many ways. A
variety of technologies take advantage of the solar energy, for heat, electricity and lighting, including:

 Active solar heating (uses fans or pumps to move solar heat)

 Passive solar heating (heats buildings with glass windows and doors without using fans or
pumps)
 Photovoltaic systems (commonly referred to as pv, produce electricity)
 Solar thermal power systems (use solar heat to generate electricity)
 Solar hot water (uses a variety of solar heating techniques to heat water)
 Solar process heat (uses a variety of solar heating techniques in industrial processes)
 Space heating and cooling
 Daylighting

Commercial, industrial and institutional buildings have large exterior surfaces, which can collect
solar energy. Solar energy can meet the large lighting, and varied heating and cooling needs of these
buildings. Residential homes use smaller solar energy systems. Buildings using solar heating and day
lighting design strategies can operate more efficiently and create more pleasant environments for working
and living. Businesses and industry can diversify their energy sources, improve efficiency, and save
money by using solar technologies for:

 Heating and cooling

 Industrial processes
 Electricity
 Water heating
 Home owners can also use solar technologies for heating and cooling and water heating.

Utilities and power plants are also taking advantage of the sun's abundant energy resource and
offering the benefits to their customers. Solar thermal power systems allow power plants to produce
electricity from the sun on a larger scale. With these systems, utility customers can ultimately take
advantage of solar power without making the investment in personal solar technology systems.

 Hotels, Lodges and Guest houses

 Hostels of Schools, Colleges, Training centers
 Barracks of armed forces, paramilitary forces and police
 Individual residential buildings having more than 150 sq.mt plinth area
 Functional buildings of Railways Station and Airports like waiting rooms, retiring rooms, rest
rooms, and inspection bungalows and catering units.
3. Facts About Solar Energy
Solar energy simply means the energy received from the Sun. The incident solar energy
on our planet for one hour is enough to provide all the energy needs of earth for one year. The
two types of energy received from the sun are light energy and thermal energy and both of them
can be effectively utilized. The only limitation that solar energy possess is that it cannot be used
at night and amount of sunlight that is received on earth is depends on location, time of day, time

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of year, and weather conditions. Here are few facts on solar energy that can help to assess the
potential of solar energy to meet global requirements.

 Solar energy is a completely free source of energy and it is found in abundance. Though
the sun is 90 million miles from the earth, it takes less than 10 minutes for light to travel
from that much of distance.
 The earth gets 174 Petawatts of incoming solar radiation in the upper atmosphere. About
30% is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed by oceans, clouds and land
masses.
 Solar energy has been used for over 2700 years. In 700 BC, glass lenses were used to
make fire by magnifying the sun’s rays.
 The sun is also the main source of non-renewable fossil fuels (coal, gas and petroleum)
which began life as plants and animals millions of years ago.
 Solar power is noise pollution free. It has no moving parts, and does not require any
additional fuel, other than sunlight, to produce power.
 Solar energy produces no pollution, has no environmental effects and is ecologically
acceptable.
 Clouds and pollution prevent the sun’s rays from reaching the earth.
 By relying on battery backup, solar energy can even provide electricity 24×7, even on
cloudy days and at night.
 Large investment is one the primary reason why solar energy is still not used by many
people all over the world.
 The oil crisis of 1970 revealed the delicate nature of fossil fuels as a source of energy for
the world. As such research in alternative, renewable energy technology like that of solar
and wind energy gained momentum.
 The earth receives about 1,366 watts of direct solar radiation per square meter.
 The largest solar power plant in the world is located in the Mojave Desert in California,
covering 1000 acres.
 Solar energy is one of the most widely used renewable source of energy. One can use
renewable energy technologies to convert solar energy into electricity.
 Space missions by various countries use solar energy to power their spaceships.
 Solar energy is very reliable source of energy.
 The water cycle is an important result of solar insulation. The earth, oceans and
atmosphere absorb solar radiation and their temperature rises. Warm air rises from the
oceans causing convection. When this air rises to high altitudes, clouds are created by
condensation of water vapor. These clouds cause rains that bring water back to the earth’s
surface which completes the water cycle.
 By means of photosynthesis, solar energy is converted by green plants into chemical
energy which creates the bio mass that makes up the fossil fuels.
 Horticulture and agriculture seek to make the maximum use of solar energy. These
include techniques like timing of planting cycles and mixing of plant varieties. Green
houses are also used to convert light into heat to promote year round cultivation of
special crops.

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Solar energy can also be used for making potable, brackish or saline water. Without using
electricity or chemicals, waste water can be treated. Creating salt from sea water is also
one of the oldest uses of solar energy.
 Thermal storage systems can store solar energy in the form of heat by using common
materials with high specific heat such as stone, earth and water. Solar energy can be
stored also in molten salts.
 Solar power can significantly reduce the electricity bills. Moreover, there are many tax
incentives and rebate programs designed to spur the use of solar, and save home owners
money at the same time.
Solar energy is a technology used to convert solar energy into other forms like electrical
energy to meet global requirements. As of now only one tenth of global energy needs is supplied
by solar energy but the potential for the future is mind boggling.

4. Audit Methodology

The solar energy audit identifies opportunities to reduce the energy use and/or the cost of
operating a building or industrial process, whether it's new construction, renovation, or retrofit.
The solar energy audit is through the following processes:

1. Collect and analyze historical energy use

2. Study the building or process and its operational characteristics
3. Identify potential solar modifications that will reduce the heating energy use and/or cost
4. Perform an engineering and economic analysis of potential modifications
5. Prepare a rank-ordered list of appropriate solar modifications.
6. Report the results

Collect and analyze historical energy use

Analysis of two or more years of utility consumption and cost, review of building plans, review
of government and utility incentives, and a walk through of the building itself to establish:

 Type of building, principal use or heating process, and physical arrangement, height, etc.
 Heating Energy Utilization (monthly and annual energy use).
 Delivered cost of heat to the load including energy purchase cost and onsite conversion
efficiency.
 Breakdown of various heating systems within the building by type, inlet and outlet
temperatures, hours of use, etc.
 Ideal solar surfaces, such as existing roofs, walls and open ground.
 Calculation of solar heat available from each solar surface.
 Control strategies for the solar energy delivery.
 Any operations or maintenance problems or practices, which may affect efficiency.
 Tax and incentive savings and finance alternatives for various solar alternatives.
 The potential cost savings and economic returns from the installation of solar heating
systems.

Study the building or process and its operational characteristics

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Description and analysis of the energy-using systems of the building, resulting from on-site
observation, measurement, and engineering calculations, including:
 Envelope
 Domestic hot water
 Laundry
 Lighting
 HVAC and Controls
 Process Systems
 Utility Providers & Rates
 Other systems

5. Government Policies and Incentives

The current focus in the Renewable Energy sector is to reduce the costs and to accelerate
commercialization of various technologies. The Ministry of Nonconventional Energy Sources
(MNRE) initiated this shift in 1992, when it announced a new strategy and action plan to replace
subsidy-driven programme with commercialization. Financial incentives were trimmed and fiscal
incentives, such as concessional tax and duties, along with soft loans, were introduced to
encourage enterprise. Several renewable energy technologies (RETs) such as wind, solar
thermal, solar photovoltaic, and small hydro are now promoted on a commercial scale.
A comprehensive Renewable Energy Policy for all round development of the renewable
sector, encompassing all the key aspects, has been formulated by MNRE. Government of India is
also encouraging foreign Investors to set up renewable energy based power generation projects
on Built- Own and Operate basis.
The main objectives of energy policy
1. Lesser dependence on energy imports through a diverse and sustainable fuelmix in
furtherance of the aim of National Energy Security
2. Expand cost-effective energy supply for achieving per capita energy consumption level at
par with global average through increasing share of new and renewable energy in the fuel
mix in furtherance of the aim of Equity.
3. Government of India is also encouraging foreign Investors to set up renewable energy
based power generation projects on Built- Own and Operate basis.
4. Various Chambers of Commerce and Industry Associations in India can be approached
for providing guidance to the Investors in finding appropriate partners.
5. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is promoting medium, small, mini and micro
enterprises for manufacturing and servicing of various types of renewable energy systems
and devices.
6. Industrial clearance is not required for setting-up of renewable energy industry.
7. No clearance is required from Central Electricity Authority for power generation projects
upto Rs. 100 crores (Rs. 1000 million).
8. A five-year Tax holiday allowed for renewable energy power generation projects.
9. Soft loan is being made available through IREDA for renewable energy equipment
manufacturing.
10. Private Sector Companies can set up enterprises to operate as licensee or generating
companies.
11. Customs duty concession is available for renewable energy parts/equipment, including
for machinery required for renovation and modernization of power Plants.

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12. Excise duty on a number of capital goods and instruments in the renewable energy sector
has been reduced /exempted.
6. Case Studies
Here is presented the case studies of buildings incorporating various aspects of energy
conscious design. They demonstrate the successful use of passive solar architecture, sustainable
materials, conservation of resources, and integration of renewable energy technologies. The
examples are chosen from different climatic zones so as to present a wide variety of techniques.
These case studies are compiled by Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and Solar Energy
Centre, Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources in May 2006.

(a) Inspector General Of Police Complex, Gulbarga

Location : Gulbarga, Karnataka
Climate : Hot and dry
Brief description of the building:
This building is a ground and two-storied structure designed by Kembhavi Architecture.
Photograph of the offices of the Inspector General of Police, Gulbarga as shown in figure - 1. As
the building is located in a hot and dry climate, evaporative cooling has been used for providing
comfort. Most of the offices are cooled by passive downdraft evaporative cooling (PDEC) tower
system. A sketch of principle of PDEC is shown in figure – 2.

Figure – 1 Photgraphs of IGP Complex, Gulbarga

Energy conscious features:

- Passive downdraft evaporative cooling (PDEC) towers for providing comfort
- Tinted glasses to reduce glare
- Alternative building materials such as composite walls to reduce heat gain and filler slabs
to reduce the quantity of concrete in the structure
- A central atrium to enhance cross ventilation and provide daylighting
- Solar PV lighting and pumps, rainfall harvesting and water conservation facilities
incorporated

The drop in temperature is about 12 - 13 °C in March, April and May. Considering that
the PDEC system is used in these months, the predictions of the energy savings of the
building per annum, as compared to an air-conditioned building maintained at 27.5 °C, are as
follows:

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Estimated Cost of PDEC system = Rs. 17,50,000

Estimated savings per annum = Rs. 3,52,000
Simple payback period = 5 years (approximately)

Figure – 2 Principle of a PDEC Tower

(b) Solar Energy Centre, Gurgaon

Location : Gurgaon, Haryana.
Climate : Composite (predominantly hot)
Brief description of building :
It is a single storeyed research centre. The buildings include a guest house, a workshop,
offices and laboratories. Being situated on a large open plot of land, the buildings are spread out
and possess courtyards around which the various activities are clustered.

Energy conscious features:

- Roof surface evaporative cooling system
- Appropriate planning in which laboratories requiring air conditioning are put together in
a well-insulated building
- Hollow concrete block walls to resist heat gain by conduction
- Reflective finish on roof surface
- Windows designed for cross ventilation and day lighting. The east and west facing
windows incorporate openable louvered shutters.

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It was observed that the roof surface evaporative cooling (RSEC) system caused a
lowering of temperature by 2-3ºC in comparison with rooms without RSEC system. One
advantage of the RSEC system is that it cools in a healthy manner as it does not humidify the
ambient air of the room.

7. Conclusion
To mitigate the energy problems of cities and to provide alternative energy solutions for
industrial and commercial establishments, it is very important to focus on the development and
application of renewable energy technologies and energy efficient systems and measures. A
combination of the right technology and correct human behavior is needed.

References
1. “Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Status in India”, Report compiled by ICLEI
South Asia May 2007.
2. “Solar Energy Audits” by American Solar, http://www.americansolar.com/services/solar-
energy-audits.htm.
3. “40 Facts About Solar Energy - Conserve Energy Future’, http://www.conserve-energy-
future.com/various-solar-energy-facts.php .
4. J.K. Nayak, J.A. Prajapati, “Handbook On Energy Conscious Buildings, Solar Energy
Centre” , Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources, May 2006.
5. Prajapati J., “Draft Report - Design Of Passive Downdraft Evaporative Cooling Towers
For Proposed I.G.P. Complex At Gulbarga”, Monarch - Architects And Designers,
Mumbai, 2005.
6. Kumar A., Negi B.S. and Agarwal P.K., “Preliminary - Monitoring And Performance
Evaluation Of Roof Surface Evaporative Cooling System –A Technical Report”, Solar
Energy Centre, MNES, Gurgaon, 1998.
7. Nayak J.K., Hazra R., Prajapati J., “Manual On Solar Passive Architecture”, Solar Energy
Centre, MNES, Govt. of India, New Delhi, 1999.