# Assessment of Energy Use and Photovoltaic Energy Potential in Saudi Arabian Governmental Schools
## 2 Literature Review  
School buildings often consume electricity unwisely in hot regions. This problem can be solved by rationalizing consumption or securing the necessary energy by integrating solar energy with school buildings and facilities. Energy consumption, rationalization of energy consumption, and RE, especially solar energy, in educational buildings have been studied in the scientific literature. [PERSON] et al. [7] conducted a literature analysis comparing the published school energy use statistics. The authors reported that the total annual EUI ranged between 10 kWh/m\({}^{2}\) in Italy and 278 kWh/m\({}^{2}\) in Japan. The authors also presented the electrical yearly EUI ranged between 7 kWh/m\({}^{2}\) in Germany and 66 kWh/m\({}^{2}\) in Northern Ireland. The thermal EUI was 42 kWh/m\({}^{2}\) in Germany and 210 kWh/m\({}^{2}\) in Sweden. [PERSON] et al. [8] reported that the annual EUI for heating and cooling ranged between 15.27 kWh/m\({}^{2}\) and 34.82 kWh/m\({}^{2}\) for school buildings with passive energy performance in Spain. [PERSON] et al. [9] calculated the annual EUI for schools in a typical tropical Malaysian climate for four years, which ranged between 12 kWh/m\({}^{2}\)/year and 23 kWh/m\({}^{2}\)/year. [PERSON] et al. [10] evaluated the retrofit possibilities and building envelope design standards for a school structure about 60 years old. As a result, it was found that the most efficient retrofit technique--both in terms of cost and energy efficiency--was employed most frequently in Turkey throughout the heating season. According to this study, there will be a financial advantage in eight years. The authors claim that implementing a retrofit would reduce the building's yearly fuel expenses by about one-third. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [11] researched in Jordan to develop retrofitting strategies for school buildings without insulation. According to the findings, implementing these ideas can result in notable energy savings of up to 54% with a comparatively simple payback period (SPBP) of 5.5 years, proving their potential as an energy-efficient retrofitting solution for Jordanian school buildings. [PERSON] et al. [12] used DesignBuilder software to evaluate the energy-saving strategies currently in place while ensuring appropriate interior comfort in Saudi Arabian public schools. The authors claim that applying suitable building envelope design strategies for already existing schools can result in substantial savings of 30% and 19%, respectively, on cooling and total electricity usage. However, according to [PERSON] et al. [13], energy-efficient building retrofitting--improving a building's energy efficiency--is the most frequently used method for increasing building efficiency. [PERSON] [14] evaluated the efficacy of using thermal insulation and hollow blocks to reduce energy usage in two typical school buildings in Riyadh, KSA. According to [PERSON], the external envelope's improved U-value was primarily responsible for a 51% decrease in energy use. The author also recommended utilizing an evaporative cooler instead of air conditioning (AC) window units because they consume roughly 75% less electricity while offering the same cooling efficiency. Due to poor thermal insulation in the building envelope in the KSA, AC systems consume a significant amount of electricity [15; 16]. As a result, there is considerable potential for optimizing energy usage and ensuring thermal comfort in school buildings, which will depend on factors such as their typology and occupancy patterns [17]. [PERSON] [18] reported that these outcomes are most likely the consequence of user behavior, structure, and weather. Using DesignBuilder software, [PERSON] and [PERSON] [19] assessed and refined facade retrofitting techniques to increase energy efficiency and evaluate the financial performance of different scenarios in Saudi school buildings.