Measurement and verification in energy efficiency projects involving solar water heating systems in homes of low-income families — Case studies

Solar water heating in homes of low-income families as Energy Efficiency Action enables energetic benefits from points of view of the consumer and the Brazilian electrical system, thereby reducing environmental impacts associated with generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate these gains through measurement and verification methodology adapted from the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol, from case studies involving Energy Efficiency Projects in the Goiás State, Brazil. Results show that the electricity saved from the replacement of electric showers by solar water heating systems in homes of low-income families has great potential to bring financial benefits to such families, and that the reduction in peak demand obtained from this Energy Efficiency Action is advantageous to the Brazilian electrical system. Contributions concerning the application of the methodology are also obtained through this study.