TOWARDS RENEWABLE URBAN LANDSCAPES: EXPLORING PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL INTEGRATION-A CASE STUDY

The global shift towards sustainable practices and adopting renewable energy sources, notably photovoltaic (PV) panels, in urban planning is increasingly imperative. This paper delves into this emerging trend, focusing on integrating PV systems in smart cities. It presents a comprehensive case study conducted in AlZahia, a town located in Sharjah (Longitude: 55.4209317 and Latitude: 25.3462553), United Arab Emirates (UAE), examining the adoption of photovoltaic panels and smart applications to provide insights into their potential for cost savings and sustainability benefits. The study evaluates four pivotal aspects: building wall design and installation, window features, roof structures, and building orientation. Additionally, it investigates the incorporation of smart applications such as automated curtains, smart lighting systems, motion-activated cameras and lights, and a gas detection system during the design phase. The study results demonstrate that the implementation of PV panels and smart applications can yield substantial energy savings of approximately 52 and 36%, respectively, accompanied by a significant reduction in the carbon footprint. These findings provide practical guidance for contractors and developers seeking sustainable and energy-efficient facilities. They also underscore these technologies’ feasibility and economic viability, empowering homes to fulfill a significant portion of their energy requirements through renewable sources, thus reducing reliance on grid electricity.