Energy Efficiency of a Solar Green Building Using Bio-Sourced Materials for Indoor Temperature and Humidity Optimization

Abstract

A clean environment with low carbon emissions is the goal of research on the development of green and sustainable buildings that use bio-sourced materials in conjunction with solar energy to create more sustainable cities. This is particularly true in Africa, where there aren’t many studies on the topic. The current study suggests a 90 m² model of a sustainable building in a dry climate that is movable to address the issue of housing in remote areas, ensures comfort in harsh weather conditions, uses solar renewable resources—which are plentiful in Africa—uses bio-sourced materials, and examines how these materials relate to temperature and humidity control while emitting minimal carbon emissions. In order to solve the topic under consideration, the work is split into two sections: numerical and experimental approaches. Using TRNSYS and Revit, the suggested prototype building is examined numerically to examine the impact of orientation, envelope composition made of bio-sourced materials, and carbon emissions. Through a hygrothermal investigation, experiments are conducted to evaluate this prototype’s effectiveness. Furthermore, an examination of the photovoltaic system’s production, consumption, and several scenarios used to maximize battery life is included in the paper. Because the biosourced material achieves a thermal transmittance of 0.15 (W.m⁻².K⁻¹), the results demonstrate an intriguing finding in terms of comfort. This value satisfies the requirements of passive building, energy autonomy of the dwelling, and injection in-network with an annual value of 15,757 kWh. Additionally, compared to the literature, the heating needs ratio is 6.38 (kWh/m².an) and the cooling needs ratio is 49 (kWh/m².an), both of which are good values. According to international norms, the inside temperature doesn’t go above 26°C, and the humidity level is within a comfortable range.