Performance Evaluation of Lighting Fixtures and Installations for Renewable Energy Applications

Abstract

Energy efficiency has been viewed as the most accessible and cost effective form of alternative energy. While lighting occupies only a percentage in the total electric loads in homes, technological advances in Light Emitting Diodes (LED) are becoming more convincing in their power consumption and lumens output. This paper evaluates the percentage lighting occupied in the total load spectrum on the two main buildings in Osun State University, verifies the light level in the library reading rooms (a place where adequate lighting is imperative) with recommended standards and comparison between the output of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) and the LEDs. Walk-through Energy audit approach was used to evaluate the percentage lightning occupies which involves identification and grouping of all electrical loads with their respective power rating in Watts. Similarly, illumination level verification campaign was conducted with the use of a digital light meter (sensor based device) connected to a Personal Computer for logging illumination level real time along the aisles and reading cubicles. The same light meter was used for comparing the output of installed CFL and proposed LED. Results indicate that lighting fixtures occupy 12.2% of the load spectrum. The lighting installations also do not conform to global illumination standards for the facility accessed while the output of the LED tested is still low. It is therefore recommended that better LED light sources be considered for efficient energy, reduction in environmental pollution associated with power generation, reduction in power needed to maintain a cooling effect and cost economy.

Keywords: CFL, LEDs, lumens, illumination level verification, power sector, environmental pollution.