Renewable Energy Integration in Buildings

Abstract

The rapid growth in energy demand from the building sector has raised serious concerns related to fossil fuel depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, and long term environmental sustainability. Buildings account for a significant share of global electricity consumption and carbon emissions, particularly due to heating, cooling, lighting, and operation of appliances. In this context, integration of renewable energy systems into buildings has emerged as an effective strategy to reduce dependency on conventional energy sources and improve overall energy efficiency. This paper presents a comprehensive review of renewable energy integration in buildings, focusing on solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass-based systems. Various integration approaches, including building-integrated renewable energy systems and hybrid solutions, are discussed. The paper also examines technological advancements, performance assessment methods, economic feasibility, and policy support mechanisms. Challenges related to intermittency, high initial costs, design complexity, and user acceptance are highlighted. Finally, future prospects and research directions are outlined to promote wider adoption of renewable energy in residential and commercial buildings.

KEYWORDS: Renewable energy, Building integration, Solar energy, Energy efficient buildings, Sustainable construction