Evaluation of the appropriateness of photovoltaic (PV) panels for sustainable building in North Cyprus

ABSTRACT: Over the past several years, many paces have been taken to increase energy efficiency in buildings, due to inadequate energy sources. The integration of photovoltaic (PV) panel in buildings is still in its preliminary stage. However, has advanced and new components have been effectively applied in architecture to solve energy issues. Currently, the use of PV panels has been adopted by several developing countries and is integrated as a cover material in roof, facade, chimneys, skylights, shading system and even atrium of buildings. PV technologies are advancing and still expensive. However, increases the overall environmental effects caused by human activities and evidently decrease the emissions from electricity use in buildings led to use PV panels as one of components of renewable energy to be sustainable. In addition, PV Panels also serves as means of reducing electricity consumption in buildings. Against this backdrop, the study will highlights the basic fundamentals of PV panels including the different types of PV modules for building, construction methods, orientation of PV panels on buildings, classification and feature of PV panels, and climatic conditions of PV panels. In this study, qualitative research method was used to address the appropriateness, cost, economical aspect, and current approaches of PV panels in both international level and North Cyprus. The research will also stress on the overall productivity and sustainability characteristic of PV panels as it correlates with building sectors. Suggestion and recommendation to this effect will be given at the concluding part of this research to guide any research student who wishes to integrate PV panels in building sector. Keywords: Energy efficiency, Photovoltaic panels, Sustainable building. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………