The 3E Optimal Location Assessment of Flat-Plate Solar Collectors for Domestic Applications in Iran

Sina Jafari, Ali Sohani, Siamak Hoseinzadeh and Fathollah Pourfayaz
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Sina Jafari: Laboratory of Optimization of Thermal Systems’ Installations, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering-Energy Division, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, No. 15-19, Pardis Street, Mollasadra Avenue, Vanak Square, Tehran 1999 143344, Iran
Ali Sohani: Laboratory of Optimization of Thermal Systems’ Installations, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering-Energy Division, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, No. 15-19, Pardis Street, Mollasadra Avenue, Vanak Square, Tehran 1999 143344, Iran
Siamak Hoseinzadeh: Department of Renewable Energies and Environment, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 1439 957131, Iran
Fathollah Pourfayaz: Department of Renewable Energies and Environment, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 1439 957131, Iran

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-17

Abstract: The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was utilized to determine the optimal location on which to install flat-plate solar thermal collectors for residential buildings in a number of cities in Iran under diverse climatic conditions. The payback period of investment (IPBP) was chosen as one of the decision criteria, while payback periods of energy and greenhouse gas emissions (EPBP and GGEPBP), being two recently introduced concepts, were also taken into account to provide a broader insight from the energy, economic, and environmental (3E) benefits of the system. The novelty of this work is proposing a method to find places with the greatest potential to install flat-plate solar collectors. It was performed using AHP as a systematic decision-making tool, and based on energy, environmental, and economic criteria, which are the key aspects of an energy system. Codes developed in the MATLAB software were employed to determine the values for different investigated cities. According to the results, Yazd, located in the center of the country, was found to be the best place to install the system. This city enjoys EPBP, IPBP, and GGEPBP scores of 2.47, 3.37, and 0.71 years, respectively. The collector area for this city was also found to be 109.8 m 2 . Yazd gained a score of 26.5 out of 100. With scores of 24.4, 18.6, 15.9, and 14.6 out of 100, Tehran, Bandar Abbas, Rasht, and Tabriz were found to be the second, third, fourth, and fifth priorities for utilizing the system, respectively.

Keywords: analytical hierarchy process (AHP); domestic application; solar thermal collectors; payback time of energy; payback period of greenhouse emission (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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