Analysis Based on Ecotect Software of the Energy Consumption and Economic Viability of Solar Collector Pig Houses with Different Roof Forms and Translucent Materials

Abstract

This study investigated improvements in solar energy efficiency in pig houses with different roof types and translucent materials using Ecotect simulation software v2011. An experimental pig house in Qian Guo County, Songyuan City, was selected as the research object. First, the optimal building orientation for pig houses was explored by analysing the solar irradiance received as a primary indicator. Next, the energy consumption of pig houses was simulated using various translucent materials in the roof. Various roof types were designed based on the optimal translucent material. The energy consumption of these designs was compared with that of the experimental pig house. Finally, the economic viability of the different pig houses was analysed. The results showed that the optimal building orientation for a pig house was south by west 25°. Among the pig houses with equal-slope roofs using FRP daylighting boards, double-layer polycarbonate (PC) sheets, flat glass, and organic glass as translucent materials, the pig house using double-layer PC sheets required the least amount of additional heat during the heating season (62,109 kWh). For pig houses with double-layer PC sheets, four roof designs were assessed (equal-slope roof, front and rear roofs with unequal slopes, upper and lower staggered unequal-slope roof, and four-equal-slope roof), and it was found that the pig house with a four-equal-slope roof required the least amount of additional heat during the heating season (48,138 kWh). The economic analysis indicates that the combination of a four-equal-slope roof and double-layer PC sheets is the most cost-effective option, with the lowest total life cycle cost. This design saves 9521 USD compared with the experimental pig housing, effectively improving solar energy utilisation efficiency. These analyses provide a reference for exploring the thermal performance of pig houses.