Improving the Liveability of Cities: The Role of Solar Energy in Urban and Peri-urban Areas

Abstract

Solar energy utilisation is the most important energy resource for bridging the gap between demand and supply of various energy needs in urban and peri-urban areas. The energy consumption is basically in terms of electricity for many appliances and equipment in homes, thermal energy for heating and cooling in homes and passive solar architecture for energy efficient buildings. On the other hand, the conventional energy consumption also induces the ecological imbalance such as the generation of greenhouse gases. Therefore solar energy may be considered an environmentally friendly alternative energy source for sustainable development. In this chapter, different active and passive solar energy harnessing techniques have been discussed, analysed and recommended leading to zero energy buildings (ZEBs) in urban and peri-urban areas. Here the study of solar energy applications for all types of energy needs in a residential building for advanced, ecological and smart liveability is presented. In this Chapter, we suggest some effective ways to harvest solar energy in urban and peri-urban areas using active and passive solar techniques.