Benchmarking energy consumption and solar energy potential for sustainable photovoltaic integration in university campus buildings

Integrating photovoltaic (PV) technologies has emerged as a crucial strategy to address Algeria’s energy, economic, and environmental challenges. Urgent solutions are needed with growing energy demand and limited renewable energy adoption. This study investigates the University of Constantine 3 as a case study, exploring how PV systems can enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in urban settings. A comprehensive framework is developed to optimize energy performance in university campus buildings by analyzing energy consumption patterns, solar energy potential, and urban morphology. The multicriteria analysis evaluates the energy generation potential of various campus zones, including rooftops, parking lots, and seating areas. The findings reveal that the proposed PV system can generate an average of 2153 MWh annually, exceeding the campus’s electricity requirements by 32.12%, allowing surplus energy allocation for additional uses. Environmental assessments highlight significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, with the system mitigating 1126 tons.CO₂/year. Economically, the PV system is projected to recoup its initial investment within 3.91 years, offering a low exergy-based levelized cost of energy at $0.0063/kWh. This study highlights the influence of site-specific spatial characteristics, including building form, orientation, and density, on solar energy integration, offering valuable insights for sustainable campus planning in Algeria and similar regions.