University Engineering Project: Solar Roof Design for Energy

This engineering project investigates the development of solar roof designs to address the global energy crisis and reduce household energy costs. The project explores two main concepts: a solar roof design incorporating skytherm for radiant energy exchange and another utilizing metallic solar plates with a water system for heat transfer. The study emphasizes the importance of roof orientation, recommending an angle of 45-60 degrees for optimal solar energy harnessing. The project concludes that while solar roof designs with skytherm are less suitable for cold regions, solar panels with water systems offer effective heating and cooling solutions, albeit with higher installation costs. The study confirms that the orientation of the roof between an angle of 45-60 degrees depending with the direction of the sun ensure optimum harnessing of solar energy. The project highlights the potential of solar energy as a renewable resource for sustainable home energy solutions.

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Abstract
The energy crisis across the globe has been clearly documented in previous studies.
Energy consumption in households accounts for high expenses in family budgets (Salameh,
2017, p. 9). As a result, there have been consistent research and innovative works to help in
reducing the cost households spend on energy. In line with such, renewable sources energy such
as solar energy have been innovated. Several modifications have been introduced in solar panels
to optimize their efficiency in solar energy harnessing. The solar plates which were used
previously was to capture solar energy, store it as a photovoltaic cell then later on convert the
energy to electrical (H?berlin, 2012, p. 51). Notably, more developments arose where solar
panels were developed and used to heat water for domestic usage. However, this paper
concentrates on developing the idea of using solar roof design to help in the heating and cooling
of the house. In this concept, the solar panels will be used as a roof placed horizontally and the
inside space filled with water to help in the control of solar energy (Burdick, & Schmidt, 2017, p.
34). The roof is incorporated with skytherm so as to help in radiant changing of energy without
change in the components of the solar roof design (Waite, 2011, p. 18). The other option was one
where metallic solar plate was horizontal with a large water system connected through piping
installed below the plate. The water temperature in this case was controlled through a heat
exchanger and boiler. This study also confirms that orientation of the roof between an angle of
45-60 degrees depending with the direction of the sun ensure optimum harnessing of solar
energy. This design clearly explains how solar roof panel can regulate room temperature
depending on the season hence promoting cooling and heating of a room.

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Conclusions
Solar energy is a fundamental form of energy when harnessed and used for various
applications. It is renewable energy which helps in saving households a lot of money. Therefore,
developing a solar food design to help in harnessing solar energy at the same time cooling and
heating the house is monumental. Having solar roof design with skytherm makes it difficult to
regulate or control the power that is dispersed to the household thermally. Therefore, this type of
design is found to not be suitable for cold regions. However, the solar panels with water system
under them are used where heat transfer through the water system is promoted through the use of
heat exchangers and boilers. The cost of installations of these system is high as compared to the
system where the solar panels are covered with skytherm. Moreover, the second system do not
require skytherm for insulation instead, a smaller air chamber is created to help in insulation.
Apart from the air chamber, the house enjoys thermal protection due to the glazing shield that is
installed under the air chamber. Notably, when the system was tilted at an angle of 45 – 60
degrees to the direction of the sun, the amount of energy harnessed is 3 times more than the
energy harvested from the horizontal roof design.

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References
H?berlin, H. (2012). Photovoltaics System Design and Practice. Hoboken: John Wiley &
Sons.
Salameh, Z. (2017). Renewable energy system design.
https://www.elsevier.com/books/renewable-energy-system-design/salameh/978-0-12-
374991-8
Waite, O. (2011). Advances in Solar Power. New Delhi: World Technologies.
Burdick, J., & Schmidt, P. (2017). Install your own solar panels: Designing and
installing a photovoltaic system to power your home. Hampshire: Flex Publishers.