Thermal design of a modern, air-conditioned, single-floor, solar-powered desert house

Serag-Eldin, M. A.

Thermal design of a modern, air-conditioned, single-floor, solar-powered desert house

Type

Article

Authors

Serag-Eldin, M. A.

Date

2011-12

Abstract

The paper presents a thermal analysis of a single-floor, solar-powered desert house. The house is air-conditioned and provides all modern comforts and facilities. Electrical power, which drives the entire energy system, is generated by roof-mounted photovoltaic modules. The modules are fixed on special cradles which fold at night to expose the roof to the night sky, thereby enhancing night-time cooling, which is substantial in the desert environment. A detailed dynamic heat transfer analysis is conducted for the building envelope, coupled with a solar radiation model. Application to a typical Middle-Eastern desert site reveals that indeed such a design is feasible with present-day technology; and should be even more attractive with future advances in technology. © 2011 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Citation

Serag-Eldin MA (2011) Thermal design of a modern, air-conditioned, single-floor, solar-powered desert house. International Journal of Sustainable Energy 30: S121–S141. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1478646X.2011.562607.

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the King Abdalla University for Science and Technology (KAUST) project on Integrated Desert Building Technologies, the grant held by AUC.