Feasibility study and economic analysis of grid connected solar powered net zero energy building (NZEB) of shopping mall for two different climates of Pakistan and Thailand

In the current research,a comparative study of hybrid microgrid Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) is performed for temperate and tropical climates. A theoretical building of a shopping mall is considered for both countries. Climate data is recorded for one year and used for designing hybrid NZEB. The proposed hybrid microgrid NZEB consisted on photovoltaic (PV) modules and converters. However, the thermal load is the property of grid-connected hybrid system. Cost-effectiveness of the project is checked using economic parameters of the net present cost (NPC), payback period, and operational costs. Results show that investigation is economical and has a payback period of 1.84 years in Thailand and 2.66 years in Pakistan. Also, reduction in the per-unit cost of electricity is 31% and 27% in Thailand and Pakistan, respectively. Moreover, the designed hybrid system is 9.5% and 7.1% more economical than the pre working grid system with the unit cost reduction 0.12 USD/kWh and 0.21 USD/kWh in Pakistan and Thailand respectively. Additionally, maximum electricity generation by PV panels is 234739 kWh. So, results will help to develop an approach toward IEA task 47 in Pakistan by minimizing energy cost per unit of electricity. The research will also contribute to the research gap in energy sector by providing an economically advantageous study of simulation-based installation of NZEBs in the commercial sector in both countries.

Automated summary

A comparative study of hybrid microgrid Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) in temperate and tropical climates shows that implementing such projects in Thailand and Pakistan is economically viable, with a reduction in per-unit cost of electricity.