The energy efficiency of a dormitory building with solar panels: a numerical investigation by using Building Information Modelling

Developing technology and increasing population is causing a significant increase in energy consumption demand. Hence, reducing the carbon footprint is of great importance day by day. To serve this purpose, the world struggles to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and develop new strategies to use renewable energy sources more efficiently especially in buildings as they are responsible for 30% of total energy consumption. It is well known that using solar panels, heat pumps, high-efficiency insulation, and lighting can reduce the energy consumption of buildings up to net zero energy. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of solar panels installed on a dormitory building in Istanbul to reach a nearly-zero energy building. Owing to enhanced building information modelling applications and energy analyses, appropriate structural materials/systems (insulation, lighting, wall-to-window ratio, etc.) and their characteristics can be determined to reach a nearly zero energy building. 6 different energy efficiency scenarios were examined in the study to establish the most appropriate. When the examined scenarios were compared, it was seen that the best result was the Net Zero scenario. With the improvements in the Net Zero scenario, the annual energy consumption density was 8.71 kWh/m2. When compared with the reference building, it was observed that it reduced the energy consumption intensity by an average of 97.26%.