The Use of renewable energy in residentials by means of PV systems for approaching sustainability

ABSTRACT: Solar as the most abundant available energy possesses the ability to mitigate change of climate. Various solar technologies have been developed so far and have reached different levels of maturity and applications serving a variety of purposes in many parts of the world. Although solar energy constitutes a small quantity of the sum of energy consumed, technologies in solar markets are developing with a fast pace. Solar technology is desirable regarding being friendly to the environment and ecology, and having positive impacts socially. Due to the intensive competitions in the market of solar-based technologies, technical developments, and support of the public and governments, a gradual reduction in the cost of these technologies has been observed over recent previous decades. Among all energy users, buildings specifically the residential ones are assumed as major consumers. Therefore, due attention should be paid to this sector to create satisfaction for users and generating efficient use of energy resources. To achieve this goal, PV systems can be utilized both for producing electricity and providing thermal comfort which consequently end up in sustainability. Many countries have initiated taking measures to promote the use of PV systems in buildings and have achieved different levels of success. North Cyprus is among the countries which have faced an energy crisis due to lack of reliable resources of energy. To tackle this problem, utilizing PV technology is suggested as an option. It would serve a broad range of purposes such as rising the level of comfort and living standard of the residents, enhancing the sustainability of buildings, decreasing the use of fossil fuels and consequently reducing pollution. Inspired by the existing problems and challenges in this particular area in terms of demand and supply of energy, and considering the preliminary steps taken for the introduction and implementation of PV systems, the present study aims at investigating the degree of economic efficiency of photovoltaic systems in terms of their effect on the economy of households in North Cyprus. The research seeks to find out if PV systems are sufficiently sustainable to be introduced as sources of electricity generation and as alternatives to conventional technologies to the public in North Cyprus. Moreover, a comparative approach is employed to find out the differences and similarities between the level of economic efficiency and thermal comfort provided by PV systems in two countries: Italy (which is considered the second PV user in the world) and Northern Cyprus. A questionnaire containing Yes/No and Likert-scale type questions was designed to probe the status of photovoltaic systems in two contexts of Italy and North Cyprus and to explore the views and level of satisfaction of residential PV users, with a special focus on economical issues and the provided thermal comfort. The data analysis showed that the majority of PV users are satisfied with the application of the system in terms of its economic efficiency and thermal comfort provided. Moreover, PV panels can be introduced and utilized as one of the most efficient technologies on the way towards achieving sustainability. Keywords: Solar Technology, PV Systems, Thermal Comfort, Sustainability. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………