Performance assessment of a hybrid solar-wind-rain eco-roof system for buildings

• A new eco-friendly roof design with the hybrid solar and wind energies generation.
• Integration of rain water harvester, day light harvesting and roof ventilation system.
• V-shape roof design enhances the wind power generation due to venturi effect.
• Energy performance assessment with weather data from Malaysian Meteorological Department.
• Cost effectiveness analysis shows that cash flow break even is 8 years.

A technical feasibility study of an innovative hybrid solar-wind-rain eco-roof system with natural ventilation and skylight for electrical energy generation and saving is presented in this paper. The system integrates and optimizes five green technologies: wind turbine, solar photovoltaic system, rain water harvesting and utilization system, natural ventilation and roof sky lighting. The design was conceptualized based on the experiences acquired from meteorological data for Malaysian application. The V-shape top roof which was designed above the wind turbine was able to increase the wind speed by the venturi effect before the wind interacts with the wind turbine located between the roofs, hence improve the performance of the wind turbine. An automatic cooling and cleaning system with a stream of water was designed to clean and cool the roof which can improve the electrical efficiency of the solar photovoltaic modules. The ventilation vents of the system allow warm air inside the building to be ventilated out from the building by the pressure difference caused by high speed wind due to the roof design. The skylighting in the system improve the living comfort level and reduce power consumption of artificial lighting. Technical assessment of the system showed the estimated annual energy generated was 21205.65 kWh, estimated energy savings was 1839.6 kWh, the estimated annual ventilation rate was 2.17 × 108 m3 and reduction of CO2 emissions was 17767.89 kg/yr.

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