With conventional energy sources being limited in their availability, the search for alternative
renewable energy sources is inevitable. Solar energy, an inexhaustible renewable energy is considered
a vital source for a developing country like India, where there is a major deficit between the
demand and supply of electricity. In a tropical country like
India, air-conditioning for cooling has becom
e the norm during daytime due to IT facilities and
allied support services. The Sun shines for 8–9 h during daytime, which coincide with the time of
peak energy demand. The crowded rooftop of cities can be converted to solar electricity generators
through rooftop photovoltaic systems. We have done a field study of the energy consumption of
post-occupancy medium-rise (G + 4) group housing and high-rise (G + 10) group housing schemes
in two different cities in India. The feasibility study for solar photovoltaic systems, along with the
scrutiny of various schemes that are available to the building owners are discussed for post-occupancy
owners as well as yet-to-be owners of such group development schemes.
