Technical, Economic and Environmental Feasibility for the Construction of an Interactive Solar Classroom in Lérida, Tolima; Colombia
Authors: González-Viveros Ingrid Paola , Ramírez-Sánchez Hermes Ulises 
Published: July 2023

Currently, the growth in energy demand in all sectors and the excessive use of fossil fuels has generated negative environmental impacts on the environment. Countries in Latin America are committed to increasing their school coverage, with projects that use renewable energy. In the municipality of Lerida, Tolima, Colombia; there is a need to expand school infrastructure in order to provide access to technology and reduce school dropout with the construction of solar classrooms.

Aims: This research aims to evaluate the technical, economic and environmental feasibility for the construction of a classroom with photovoltaic energy system and technology equipment in the municipality of Lérida, Tolima, Colombia.

Study Design: Case study, with quantitative, descriptive and prospective approach.

Place and Duration of the Study: The case study was conducted in the municipality of Lérida, Department of Tolima, 73 kilometers from Ibagué in Colombia; between 2022 and 2023.

Methodology: The methodology consisted in determining the size of a photovoltaic system based on the consumption of the selected equipment, the design and construction of the solar classroom with recyclable materials. Subsequently, the project was financially evaluated based on the social benefits that the project would provide. Finally, the environmental impact was evaluated to determine if the construction of the classroom is technically, financially and environmentally viable.

Results: First, the costs and material for the civil works of the classroom were evaluated and it was determined that it was built with Lego-type plastic wood. Subsequently, the energy demand was determined with the technological equipment, identifying a demand of 2587 kW/hour, at 110V and with 8 hours of daily operation. With these data, the design of the photovoltaic system was carried out to cover the estimated demand, adjusted to the theoretical consumption of the equipment to be installed. With the energy demand, the selection of the number of panels was made, which resulted in 10 panels of 330 W with 5 effective hours of sun, a 3000 W inverter, a 4000 W regulator and 3 batteries of 100 Ah to maintain the energy autonomy of the classroom for 1 day. The photovoltaic system is projected with a useful life of 20 years, with the exception of the batteries, which is only 7 years. The next step was to carry out the cost-benefit analysis that determined the economic viability of the project, with a rate of return on investment of 3.6 years. Likewise, the benefits that the classroom would bring to the community and that are related to the objectives of developing quality education, with affordable energy and modern infrastructure were determined. The economic and social impacts were analyzed, which were positively high by making available technology available to the young people of Lérida that allows reducing the technological gap that generates inequalities and finally the environmental impact was evaluated, which turned out to be of low impact.

Conclusion: Based on the results, it is concluded that the construction of a solar classroom in Lérida, Tolima in Colombia is technically, economically and environmentally feasible.