Evaluation of the energy consumption of conventional lighting and the cost reduction with its replacement by photovoltaic systems in the parking lot of IFPB - Campus Patos.

Abstract

The growing demand for electricity and concerns related to the environmental impacts of conventional generation systems have driven the adoption of renewable sources, particularly photovoltaic solar energy, especially in regions with high levels of solar irradiance, such as the state of Paraíba. In this context, this work aims to evaluate the energy consumption of conventional lighting and the technical-economic feasibility of replacing it with a photovoltaic system in the parking lot of the Federal Institute of Paraíba, Patos Campus. The methodology involved surveying the energy consumption of the existing lighting system, sizing the photovoltaic system according to the usage conditions of the environment, analyzing the technical aspects of implementation, and conducting an economic evaluation using financial indicators such as Net Present Value (NPV) and the payback period. The results indicated that the energy consumption of the analyzed parking lot corresponds to 4.64% of the total electricity bill of the campus and that the photovoltaic system has an estimated payback period of 1 year and 11 months, demonstrating its economic viability and potential for reducing operational costs with electricity. Thus, the adoption of photovoltaic systems for lighting proves to be an efficient and sustainable alternative for public educational institutions.