Abstract
This article aimed to discuss the principles of sustainability applied to the built environment, highlighting the importance of universities as replicators of these practices. To respond to a demand from the campus for more security in the energy supply, the work proposes the implementation of a solar photovoltaic energy system. For this, it carried out an economic viability analysis through bibliographic review activities, characterization of the study area, dimensioning of photovoltaic systems, budgets, cost analysis and payback calculation. The research evaluated the system’s implementation considering two energy demands, for the entire campus and for a smaller building. It was found that the CSL-UFSJ consumes, on average, 27,300.38 kWh, at a cost of US$ 2,736. Thus, an annual savings of US$ 32,833 is calculated. The cost estimate analyzes showed a value of US$ 139,784 for the implementation of the system. The return on investment time was calculated for 4.3 and 4.9 years considering simple and discounted Payback respectively.It is estimated that the consumption of the DECEB building is 13,187.1 kWh with a cost of US$ 1,322 per month, which results in an annual savings of US$ 15,860. The cost estimate analyzes showed a value of US$ 40.601 for the implementation of the system and values of 4.3 and 4.9 years were obtained as return on investment time considering the calculations for simple and discounted Payback, respectively. The research demonstrates that the implementation of the photovoltaic solar energy generation system is feasible for both cases analyzed.
Highlights
Since the 1950s, when the first perceptions about the environmental impacts caused by nuclear pollution, a product of the Second World War, began to emerge, much has been discussed about the environmental issue
The return on investment time was calculated for 4.3 and 4.9 years considering simple and discounted Payback respectively.It is estimated that the consumption of the DECEB building is 13,187.1 kWh with a cost of US$ 1,322 per month, which results in an annual savings of US$ 15,860
The cost estimate analyzes showed a value of US$ 40.601 for the implementation of the system and values of 4.3 and 4.9 years were obtained as return on investment time considering the calculations for simple and discounted Payback, respectively
Summary
Since the 1950s, when the first perceptions about the environmental impacts caused by nuclear pollution, a product of the Second World War, began to emerge, much has been discussed about the environmental issue These discussions have brought changes that can be observed, for example, in the theoretical-conceptual scope, where the understanding of sustainability is increasingly broadened beyond the economic, social and environmental dimensions, and taking into account other important points like, political, cultural and technological aspects. According to Chaui (2003), as an extension of society, the university must be considered as a social institution capable of bringing rich contributions to society In this perspective, the performance of universities is of great importance, mainly because they are able to promote projects and research with themes in these areas of knowledge and to produce viable examples of these practices, being able to stimulate, encourage and incorporate sustainable practices within the community where it is located
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