Why do we require energy efficiency building?

Commercial buildings use air-conditioning (AC) by mechanical means for providing thermally
comfortable indoor conditions. This is mainly aimed at promoting productivity among occupants.
However, the process is energy intensive and the running costs are generally very high. The
monthly electricity bills of a typical commercial building can run into lakhs of rupees. The options
for energy conservation are limited once a building is constructed, especially when aspects of
optimal energy use have not been taken into account in building design. Considering that many
such buildings are being constructed all over India, there is an urgent need to study their thermal
behaviour and explore various means to reduce the AC load. We can all appreciate the benefits of working in an
environment where the temperature is comfortable.

1. In air conditioned buildings uncontrolled solar heat gain can increase cooling loads, plant size and overall
running costs.
2. Productivity increases when people sit near a window, enjoying the benefits of natural daylight.
3. A lack of daylight can result in an over-use of artificial lighting, contributing to internal heat gain.
4. Architects and Consultants are increasingly recognising the part that solar shading systems can play in both
enhancing the quality of the internal environment, and saving energy.

SOLAR PASSIVE DESIGN

1. Solar panels
2. Solar fins

Solar panels:

It refers to a panel designed to absorb the sun's rays as a source of energy for generating electricity or heating.

Solar energy:

The application of solar energy and building integration technology in residential buildings, mainly has three aspect: solar thermal
technology, solar photovoltaic technology, solar optical technology, and mainly set on roofs, balconies, exterior walls and
somewhere with ample sunshine.

Solar Photovoltaic Technology :

 Solar photovoltaic technology applying in residential buildings is mainly used for photovoltaic conversion and lighting.
BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic) is a new concept for the application of solar power, in short, installing the solar
photovoltaic phalanx on the surface of the maintenance structure of the building to provide electricity[6].
 Photovoltaic arrays do not take up additional floor space when integrate with the construction, and is the best installation
way of photovoltaic generation system, thus attracting much attention. BIPV can be divided into two categories according
to the forms that photovoltaic array integrated with the buildings[7].
 One is the combination of photovoltaic array with building, installing the PV array on the building, and the building play a
supporting role as a photovoltaic carrier (Figure 3).
 The other is the integration of photovoltaic array with building, PV modules appear as the building material, and the
photovoltaic array become the integral part of the construction, such as photoelectric tile roof, photoelectric curtain wall
and photoelectric lighting roof, etc (Figure 4).
Solar fins:

Solar fin, is a system of fixed or controllable fins offering greater design flexibility. When linked to a sun tracking
controller, Solar fin can offer the most effective degree of solar control without compromising light levels on dull
days. Louvers are also available in other materials such as glass, wood, terracotta clay and translucent acrylics .
Although aesthetic considerations play an important part in the design of a building, functionality is critical, both for
comfort and energy saving and to meet the legal requirements imposed by Approved Document L2 of the Building
Regulations. When controllable fins, are fitted vertically in front of a window, as shown below, these may be designed
to offer the most effective degree of solar control without compromising light levels on dull days.