Abstract/Summary

The fast-growing construction industry and residential buildings in Bahrain create massive energy and environmental demands. Therefore, Bahrain has set a national renewable energy target of 5% by 2025. The novelty of this study is investigating the feasibility of using rooftop photovoltaic systems, Fed to the national grid, in residential buildings (Khalifa Town, Bahrain) - located in arid zone - combining architecture aesthetics, social acceptability and functionality. The assessment of the rooftop area and the PV system modeling was carried using AutoCAD and PVsyst software. Consideration was given to design aesthetics and the functionality of having PV panels on the roof, without losing the use of the roof for social gathering and activities. Our results show that installing 17 kW - PV panels, for each of 1,724 villas in the town, will produce annual solar electricity of 44,953 MWh, which is sufficient to meet about 43 % of the total town’s electricity needs. This rooftops installation will cut CO2 emission by 34,794 tons, i.e., reducing 21 % of the town’s total CO2 emissions. The study shows that the payback will be 9.6 years if the government purchases each kWh of solar electricity for 29 fils (USD ¢7.5). Establishing feed-in-tariff policy (FIT) will reduce the payback period and accordingly boost local PV manufacturing and create more green - collar jobs.