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Energy Transformation in the Construction Industry: Integrating Renewable Energy Sources

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Horzela-Miś

    (Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland)

  • Jakub Semrau

    (Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland)

  • Radosław Wolniak

    (Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland)

  • Wiesław Wes Grebski

    (Penn State Hazleton, Pennsylvania State University, 76 University Drive, Hazleton, PA 18202, USA)

Abstract

The development of the building sector to the use of renewable energy, more so in photovoltaic (PV) systems, is a great step toward enhanced environmental sustainability and improved energy efficiency. This study seeks to determine the economic, environmental, and operational effects of integrating a PV system into a Polish production plant for buildings. Case study methodology was followed with the help of actual operating histories and simulation modeling to present the estimates of carbon emission savings, cost savings, and power efficiency. Key findings illustrate that 31.8% of the business’s full-year supply of electricity is through the utilization of solar energy and that it saves as much as 10,366 kg CO 2 of emissions every year. The economic rationale of the system is provided in the form of a 3.6-year payback period against long-term savings of over EUR 128,000 in 26 years. This work also addresses the broader implications of energy storage and management systems on the basis of scalability and reproducibility of intervention at the building construction scale. This study provides evidence towards the requirement of informing decision-making by business managers and policy decisionmakers as a step towards the solution of issues of interest to the utilization of renewable energy at industrial levels towards world agenda harmonization for sustainability and business practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Horzela-Miś & Jakub Semrau & Radosław Wolniak & Wiesław Wes Grebski, 2025. "Energy Transformation in the Construction Industry: Integrating Renewable Energy Sources," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-39, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:9:p:2363-:d:1649883
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