Application of passive solar building design techniques in apparel buildings

Abstract

The green building concept has been successfully adopted by many countries in their construction to save energy, protect environment, and recycle the materials. Green building design minimizes the negative human impacts on the natural resources. Passive solar building design is one of the subcategories of the green building concept. Execution of the concept of passive solar building design in the tropical countries has a greater potential to reduce national as well as world's fossil fuel consumption. The research shows, apparel industry is one of the major sectors which uses more energy for the production, thermal and visual comfort of employees during the operation as well as for the maintenance purposes. Hence, the energy cost has become a significant issue in many countries including Sri Lanka.

The main aim of this research is to identify and analyze the concept of passive solar building design as an energy conservation method for apparel buildings in Sri Lanka. A literature synthesis is carried out on energy conservation methods, design techniques and systems of passive solar building design under the green building concept. Suitability and application of passive solar techniques within Sri Lankan context is identified through the questionnaire survey among the industry experts. The survey found that current usage of passive solar systems in apparel sector is very low. Passive cooling and day lighting systems were identified as suitable techniques to Sri Lanka as a tropical country. Moreover, research findings provide valuable information about buildings based on environmental design tactics, which promote sustainable construction.