A Renewable Energy House
in Australia
A case study
of a successful
renewable
energy project
1
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
Summary
The Arrillhjere Demonstration
House, part of the Gloria Lee
Environmental Learning Centre, was
built in the harsh, arid climate zone
of central Australia using
ecologically-sustainable design
principles. It has its own watercollection and energy systems based
on renewable energy sources.
2
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
Background
Because of the home’s harsh
environment, it presented a
design challenge to achieve
comfortable living conditions
during both the hot summers and
the cold winter nights.
3
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
The home features:
• Minimal energy use in
construction
• Energy costs below $197 U.S.
per year
• Large shaded outdoor spaces
• PV panels and solar water heater
4
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
Electricity is provided by a 720-W solar system
made up of six 120-W monocrystalline photovoltaic
panels. The system is connected to a bank of
lead acid batteries. The thermosyphon solar water
heating system is mounted in front of the PV system.
5
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
Weather conditions
• In summer, the mean daily maximum
temperature is 95.9o F, with highs
reaching 113o F.
• The winter mean temperature is
38.5o F, with temperatures often
dropping much lower.
• The average annual median rainfall is
257 mm.
6
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
Conventional indigenous housing in the area
Local homes in the region typically
have diesel generators, septic tanks
and minimal shading.
Arrilhjere is a private house, built to
show what can be achieved with
sustainable technologies.
7
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
The demonstration house
This home has a self-supporting,
steel-framed umbrella roof which
creates shaded outdoor spaces and
provides shading for the external
walls. The enclosed floor area is 135
m2.
8
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
The large umbrella
roof creates
comfortable,
shaded outdoor
living spaces.
9
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
Building methods
Earth-building methods were
adopted to achieve a culturallyappropriate, environmentallyresponsible living environment. The
walls are constructed from handmade earth bricks, with a sand-filled
cavity to provide thermal mass and
lower the embodied energy compared
to conventional construction.
10
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
The walls are waterproofed to last longer
and have a more efficient life-cycle cost.
Earth-based paints were used to lighten
the internal walls.
The house is linear in design with an eastwest axis to minimize wall exposure to the
summer sun and to improve crossventilation.
11
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
Ventilation
Five stationary ridge vents
connected by a flexible duct to an
adjustable ceiling fan help provide
ventilation. Ceiling fans on timer
controls help eliminate the need for
air conditioning and improve health
conditions.
12
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
Rainwater
• Rainwater is stored in two large steel
tanks. When water is needed, a
circulating pump sends it to a tank and
then it is drawn by gravity into the house.
• Water-saving devices are attached to the
shower and sinks, and a composting toilet
further reduces water demand.
• Used household water is recycled to the
fruit tree orchard.
13
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
PV system provides electricity
• The six north-facing panels are
mounted on the roof and connected
to 24 batteries, managed by a solar
regulator and inverter.
• No back-up generator is used.
• Energy-efficient appliances are used
in the house.
14
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
The solar water heating system
The solar water heating system
operates in a closed circuit with a
heat transfer fluid to prevent
freezing.
15
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
Performance
The PV system typically produces 2.8
to 3.8 kWh/day. Battery capacity is
5 kWh.
It provides power for lights, ceiling
fans, freezer, washing machine,
water pump, iron, toaster, microwave
oven, computer, television set, video
recorder and a radio.
16
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
The rainwater system provides
enough water for two to three
people.
The only non-renewable fuel used is
liquid propane gas, used for cooking
and to operate the refrigerator.
17
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
Economics
The cost of all materials, equipment,
appliances, management and labor for the
house was about $93,200 U.S.
This included about $26,300 for the
extra costs of the sustainable technology
components and renewable energy
systems, including:
$10,500 for the PV system.
$1,200 for the solar water heater
18
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
Savings
The only energy costs in this home
are for the LPG – under $200 per
year.
It is estimated that the minimum
energy costs for hot water, cooking
and electricity in a non-solar house
would be $650 to $900 annually.
19
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
Further benefits
Without the passive solar design
aspects, space heating and cooling
costs would increase significantly.
Further, living conditions in the home
have been greatly improved as
compared to typical indigenous
housing in the region.
20
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
For more information . . .
To learn more about this project,
contact:
Gloria Lee Environmental Learning
Centre
P.O. Box 7951
Alice Springs
Northern Territory 0871
Australia
21
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
This case study is adapted from renewable energy
Technical Brochure No. 103 of CADDET (the Centre for
the Analysis and Dissemination of Demonstrated Energy
Technologies). Published 1999. More information on
CADDET projects is available at www.caddet-re.org.
22
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center
Discussion Questions
• Would this home be efficient and
comfortable in the U.S.? If so, where?
• What applications used on this home would
work on a home in your community? Why?
• Are there are changes you would make in
this house as described in this case
study?
23
Solar Wonders, ©2007 Florida Solar Energy Center