Residential microgrid photovoltaic panel array sizing optimization to ensure energy supply and financial safety

Abstract

This paper aims to demonstrate relevance of an optimized photovoltaic (PV) panel array sizing applied to a residential microgrid (MG) as well as impact of local Energy Storage System (ESS) in terms of energy price security. Firstly, the concept of residential smart microgrids (SMGs) is introduced, then elements involved in proposed smart household model are discussed. Therefore, a solar panel array sizing method as well as a way to obtain a cost function are detailed. Particle Swarm Algorithm (PSO) was used to find the best quantity of solar panels that should be installed on a given house's roof. Results are compared to a classic residential use (without on-site energy generation) of the utility grid and shows that: self-consumption case neither without storage nor ability to inject energy surplus into utility grid is not significantly profitable; self-consumption with storage but no ability to inject is not yet profitable due to high storage prices; self-consumption without storage but ability to inject energy surplus shows significant reduction of household energy bill over study period. As more and more regulations move towards massive integration of solar energy in residential context, accurate sizing of such systems could generate important earnings/savings.