Enhancing Sustainability and Energy Policies for Effective Implementation of Passive Solar Housing Construction in Sri Lanka
摘要
Ecological awareness and concern for future generations promote the eco-trend and energy independence, and contribute to the improvements in living standards by reducing the consumption of conventional energy. In that regard, the concept of passive solar housing has garnered global attention for achieving sustainability in the building construction industry. Therefore, countries around the world are currently focusing on implementing passive solar housing design techniques. Specially, the passive solar housing design is a practical concept related to energy that is more suitable for equatorial countries, such as Sri Lanka. However, lack of policies specifically focusing on the construction of passive solar houses has hindered its successful implementation. Still worse, no comprehensive analysis of the existing policies and guidelines has also been conducted ensuring relevant policy enhancements. Thus, the aim of the research is to review the existing sustainable and energy-efficient building construction-related policies and guidelines in support of the construction of passive solar houses in Sri Lanka to determine the probable policy enhancements. A descriptive case study strategy was adopted, and the data were collected through a scoping review of available national policies and guidelines of sustainable and energy-efficient building construction in Sri Lanka during the last decade and through expert interviews. As this research aimed, several provisions were recognised that support passive solar housing construction. Accordingly, potential areas of enhancements to the existing sustainability-related policies and guidelines, such as providing financial incentives for passive solar residents, reduction of excessive generation and usage of non-renewable energy, adopting modern and green technology assessment, compliance, and certification, and enhancing research and development in passive solar housing construction field were identified through analysis. Further, having a separate national policy for passive solar housing design and construction, and providing financial incentives for passive solar service providers were also identified as key strategies that need to be considered. Research findings presented in this chapter lay a firm foundation for progressing in developing a good panoramic policy and regulatory framework for passive solar housing construction in Sri Lanka. Indeed, this research provides a comprehensive underpinning for encouraging researchers, policymakers, and construction professionals towards a successful implementation of passive solar housing concept in Sri Lanka.