Feasibility of solar panel installation at Australian Universities

Australia possesses the highest average solar radiation of any continent in the world, but solar energy in total contributes less than 5% to Australia’s primary energy consumption. Various solar panel options, which supply electricity to homes / buildings using solar energy, are commercially available. There are significant variations in price and technical performance specifications between different products. A statistical research has been conducted to assess and compare the technical differences and effectiveness of the various products in public buildings such as universities. Given the performance efficiencies, the effectiveness of PV panels on the universities in different environments of Australia then has been calculated. More parameters than the efficiency like architectural considerations, aesthetics and symbolism have also been considered in this study. Results for a case study at Western Australia are also presented.