Solar Gain Influence on the Thermal and Energy Performance of Existing Mosque Buildings in the Hot-Arid Climate of Riyadh City

Ahmed Ali A. Shohan, Hanan Al-Khatri, Ahmed Ali Bindajam and Mohamed B. Gadi
Additional contact information
Ahmed Ali A. Shohan: Department of Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha 61411, Saudi Arabia
Hanan Al-Khatri: Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 33, Al-Khod, Muscat 123, Oman
Ahmed Ali Bindajam: Department of Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha 61411, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed B. Gadi: Department of Architecture and the Built Environment, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-29

Abstract: The required cooling energy in buildings exceeds 65% of the total energy consumed inside buildings under the extreme climatic conditions of Saudi Arabia. The proper design of buildings’ envelopes has a considerable potential in reducing such levels, especially in public buildings. The reported study evaluated the thermal performance of mosque buildings with focus on the solar gains through the envelope elements. Computer simulations were carried out using Thermal Analysis Software (TAS). In addition, the thermal and comfort votes of the worshippers in one mosque were collected. The findings revealed uncomfortable thermal conditions, especially during summer months. The required cooling energy ranged between 37% and 55% in the investigated mosques. Investigating the solar gains of the envelope elements of one mosque indicated that the roof is the largest contributor to solar gain, which highlights the potential for future research to explore new constructional alternatives with the aim of improving the roofs’ thermal performance.

Keywords: solar gain; cooling energy; PMV; building envelope; mosque buildings; Riyadh; hot arid climate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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