Renewable technology
Introduction
Renewable technology refers to modern methods of generating energy using fuel sources that restore in a short period without diminishing. Conducted research by the energy department in U.S revealed that renewable technology comes with dissimilar reimbursement including economic benefits because they offset and lower utility bills. The technology benefits the environment by reducing carbon footprint, increasing public relation, and increasing the competitive advantage. Consequently, the government and sectors dealing with environmental matters should support public awareness on the benefits of renewable energy saving technologies. This might include supporting zero carbon in house construction by incorporating renewable technologies into both commercial and residential sectors. Such technologies will reduce energy usage, which saves money. There are different types of renewable technologies applied in both residential and commercial sectors. These include the solar, wind, geothermal and, biomass renewable technologies. The paper describes the installation of solar electric or photovoltaic technology in commercial building (Solar Energy International, 2007, p. 24).
Installation of solar electric in commercial building
Installing solar electric in commercial building requires clear observation of the following factors. Initially, it is essential to consider whether there are renewable energy resources near the building. It is vital to consider the area to site the renewable energy technology, and if the incentives to offset the installation costs are present. Besides, it is imperative to consider whether there are local regulations that affect the renewable energy system, as well as the availability of energy profiles that require an offset by the renewable energy installation. Commercial buildings that meet the above requirements can successfully install solar electric technology and enjoy the following benefits. Using solar electric will enable commercial areas to save money used in purchasing utility electric, together with accessing clean, reliable, and renewable electricity. Furthermore, solar electric installation provides local jobs and foster economic development opportunities to varying countries (Afgan & Carvalho, 2002, p. 200).
Installation of solar electric, also known as photovoltaic systems largely depend on sunlight and convert it into electricity. The systems have different modules assembled into arrays and mounted on a building. The power inventor then translates direct current from the system into the grid quality alternating current electricity (Afgan & Carvalho, 2002, p. 200). There are different types of solar cells used to transmit power from one point to another. These include the traditional single crystal cells made from silicon, with flat-plate shape and efficient in converting sunlight into electricity. The multi-crystal solar cells used in transmitting power resembles the traditional single crystal solar cells, but they are less efficient. Then the thin solar cells made from amorphous silicon, and they use layers of semiconductor materials. Installing solar electric in commercial building entails supplying power for multiple or single buildings such as campuses, complexes and neighborhoods. The process is cheap because its location can be less visible. It can occur in areas such as parking structure or open lot, which implies the minimization of distance (Solar Energy International, 2007, p. 24).
Installing solar energy in commercial building entails the following steps. Initially, it encompasses timely identification of potential stakeholders and required project. This involves, identifying relevant stakeholders because as they determine the successfulness of a project. The stakeholders may include the facility engineers and the solar system installation companies, which assists in the installation of solar electric energy. Private and commercial property owners are key stakeholders in the project because they control the property and land on which installation occurs. Notably, governments and financial organizations are essential stakeholders because they are capable of funding the project targets. The goals, types and financial mechanisms of a project determine the total stakeholders involved in solar energy installation process. Stakeholders may also cover the adjacent property owners, planners, contractors, engineers, local governments and federal agencies among others (Afgan & Carvalho, 2002, p. 200).
Involving stakeholders in the installation process are important because it encourages meeting the architectural requirements. Besides, it ensures utilization of resources as well as making informed decisions that increase the successfulness of the project. The rate at which the project involves the stakeholders depends on location and scale of the project. This implies that different stakeholders will join the project during different stages. The process observes the legal requirements and local code. The engagement process should be through third party advocates, mandates, internet, workshops, conferences and public notices. Increasing chances of project succession relies on the exploration of avenues; consideration of differing entities as well as the participation of stakeholders. Thereafter, it is necessary to follow appropriate review requirements. This includes ensuring the preservation of the designated historic scenes and landmarks. The installation process adheres to the existing environmental protection standards, which differentiates properties protected by preservation and conservation. The process obliges for the involvement of easement holding entity from the initial phase up to the end (Afgan & Carvalho, 2002, p. 200).
The installation process becomes ready for implementation after engaging the stakeholders, approving the project, deciding on the size energy installation and considering necessary requirements. The process will call for open communication among the stakeholders, surrounding community and the installer of the project. They should discuss the most possible impacts of implementing and constructing the project. This step should be in a way that ensures maximum energy generation and maintains structural and architectural integrity. Subsequent to implementing the project, it is vital to evaluate its impacts in order to increase success among future projects (Solar Energy International, 2007, p. 24). Review process should be during and after the installation process in order to analyze dissimilar stakeholders including the planners, property owners, energy bill payees and the installers.
Before installing solar energy, it is essential to consider dissimilar factors. For example, the solar systems need a clear and unobstructed access of sunlight for most of the days throughout its existence. This will enable it achieve maximum power production to capitalize on energy offset and financial returns. Orientation of solar panels should focus in the south because focusing them away from south will lower the system production. Installation of solar systems should avoid shadings from trees, buildings, power lines and other obstructions because shadings significantly affect power production. Solar panel installation needs sloping roof in order to attract more energy and secure the panel in opposition to the wind. Installing tracking system is beneficial because it allows solar panel to receive sunlight when the sun moves unlike in the fixed system (Afgan & Carvalho, 2002, p. 200).
There are central factors to consider while determining the feasibility of solar panel installation on the commercial building. It is essential to conduct an interview in order to determine the suitability. These may include investigating whether the building has a southern face roof, which is suitable for installation. Do the age, pitch and roof have any problem that will affect installation of solar panels, and if the shading can obstruct the solar panels from attracting sunlight. Thereafter, site evaluation is important, as it entails taking measurements of the solar pathfinder readings, taking photographs of the installations and comparing dissimilar utility bills in order to customize design and attain required needs. Then, preparation of the proposal is vital as it presents the power purchase agreement. Acceptance of the proposal leads to ordering the required material and start scheduling the installation process (Solar Energy International, 2007, p. 24).
There are dissimilar barriers in the solar electric installation within the commercial buildings. These include the price competitiveness and utility rate structure. They act as barriers to the deployment of renewable energy technologies. As a result, careful monitoring of the system encourages development of distributed generation. In adequate interconnection standards and lack of rules, affect the installation process by making it almost impossible for the renewable systems to connect to the electricity utility grid. Restrictions in the environmental sector are significant barriers to the installation process. This is because installation of the power energy faces dissimilar hurdles until the permitting officials are sure that the technology lacks negative effects on the environment. Finally, installation of solar energy occurs in remote areas that lack access to ready and cost effective transmissions (Afgan & Carvalho, 2002, p. 200).
Installing solar energy in commercial building should observe the following codes as applied in the facility electrical system designs. Primarily, it should observe the power systems design, which specializes in distributing electrical energy. Consequently, the system should consider proper voltage levels, balance and quality, protection in the short circuit and protecting the device coordination among others. During the installation, it is essential to ensure that it abides by the national electrical code, national electrical safety code and other relevant codes and standards. The electrical documents used in the installation should indicate the electrical legend, utility service, conductor capabilities, load circuit analysis and load computation among others Great Britain, 2010, p. 125). Furthermore, the installation should observe the lighting system design code. This converts electrical energy into light. The design analyzes visual comfort probability, particular purpose lighting, and requirements of local plus state standards, together with building codes. The documents in the lighting system should indicate emergency lighting, exit lighting and circuiting.
The installation process should incorporate communication systems design to analyze human factors, requirements in cabling, installation and backup. Documents for the communication system should indicate the system riser diagram, equipment legend and the backup power sources. The alarm system design plays a significant role in the installation process because it monitors together with alarming fire and emergency conditions within the premise. The analysis of the system entails dissimilar items such as structure alarm requirements, alarm and notification supplies. The documents in the system indicate the notification requirements, device type and the system riser diagram. Lighting protection system design is significant as it protects building and structures from damages resulting from lightning and static discharges. The system documents show the legend, testing requirements and the air terminal heights (Great Britain, 2010, p. 125).
Grounding systems design is vital in the process because it establishes electrical potential reference point within the electrical system, and enables proper dissipation of energy in case of problems. The documents in this system highlight the conductor material, bonding and testing requirements. Finally, the instrumentation and control systems design is significant in solar energy installation because it automates the process. The designs analyze items such as reliability, safety and environmental control devices. The system documents focus on describing the functions of control system, specifying control instruments, as well as required conductors and cables (Great Britain, 2010, p. 125).
Did the installation adhere to the distribution code?
The solar energy installation project adhered to the distribution code. This is because the code regulates different activities entailed in the installation process in order to encourage safe, efficient and reliable electricity supply. The code advocates for interested party to identify potential stakeholders and this installation adhered to that requirement. The installation process observed the distribution code by meeting the legal requirements of the local code, which included incorporating stakeholders in decision-making processes. It also obeyed the environmental regulations by ensuring that it analyzes the possible environmental effects that might result from the installation. This is because the distribution code states that activities involved in the supply of electricity should not affect the environment in any negative way. Finally, implementing solar energy installation occurred after engaging stakeholders, approving the project, deciding on the size of energy and considering necessary requirements (Stauffer, 2008, p. 14).
Conclusion
Commercial buildings are responsible for over 45% of global carbon dioxide emissions. Given such large contributions, it is imperative for them to consider using renewable energy sources in order to reduce energy consumptions and the involved emissions. People should also keep in mind that conserving and rehabilitating commercial buildings to operate efficiently and cleanly can reduce energy use, lower emissions and energy costs. Installing renewable energy is indispensible in the current economy. This is because the technology encourages economic benefits due to its low utility bills. Notably, renewable energy benefits the environment by reducing carbon footprint, increasing public relation, and the competitive advantage.
Bibliography
Afgan, N., & Carvalho, M. D. G. (2002). New and renewable technologies for sustainable development. Boston, Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Great Britain. (2010). Low carbon technologies in a green economy: fourth report of session 2009-10. Vol. 2, Oral and written evidence. London, Stationery Office.
Solar Energy International. (2007). Photovoltaics: design and installation manual : renewable energy education for a sustainable future. Gabriola Island, BC, New Society Publishers.
Stauffer, H. B. (2008). Engineer’s guide to the National electrical code. Sudbury, Mass, Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
