Residential Photovoltaic Systems Research Articles

Performance analysis of modified residential PV system configuration under mismatch conditions

Partial shading is a prevalent phenomenon with a substantial impact on PV system performance. Various techniques, such as maximum power tracking (MPPT), PV module interconnection, and power electronics-based schemes, have been employed to address these challenges at both the module level and the submodule level. Existing methods face limitations related to the cost of hardware and the complexity of control systems. These limitations hinder the widespread application of current solutions. Also, Module-level techniques though simple and economical provide limited granularity. The choice between these techniques involves a trade-off between complexity, cost, adaptability, and the specific characteristics of the PV system and its operating environment.This paper presents a new hybrid submodule-level partial shading mitigation scheme based on TCT interconnection and differential power processing. The proposed system, emphasizing its role in enhancing overall PV system performance offers a cost-effective, and easy-to-control solution. To compare and validate the performance of proposed hybrid architecture, a practically installed single-phase grid tied central inverter 3 kW residential PV system is considered. This practical PV system is modified to hybrid architecture and the performance parameters such as power generation, mismatch power loss, fill factor, power conversion efficiency and power improvement calculated for different operating conditions. The results show that the modified conventional PV system mitigate the mismatch issue effectively and improves the output performance for any operating condition

Techno-economic assessment of grid-connected residential photovoltaic systems considering overvoltage-induced generation curtailment

Grid-connected residential photovoltaic (PV) systems are continuously installed in worldwide communities, predominantly to reduce electricity bills. However, the rapid growth of distributed PV systems inevitably causes overvoltage in distribution networks. Conventionally, PV curtailment is implemented in a grid-connected inverter to prevent the system from overvoltage. Nevertheless, previous studies have failed to consider PV curtailment caused by overvoltage when conducting techno-economic assessments. Therefore, this study conducts a comprehensive techno-economic assessment of grid-connected residential PV systems, considering overvoltage-induced generation curtailment. A volt-watt curtailment strategy is designed based on a droop characteristic. Simulation studies are conducted using real-world load profiles and electricity tariffs retrieved from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority in Thailand. Furthermore, a typical low-voltage distribution feeder in Bangkok, Thailand, is employed using Thailand’s grid code. Simulation results indicate that the optimal PV size could be reduced by up to 58.33% (depending on the numbers and locations of PV systems) when considering overvoltage-induced generation curtailment, resulting in a profitability reduction of 21.34%. It is concluded that considering overvoltage-induced generation curtailment can accurately determine the PV size, preventing oversizing and overvoltage.

Fully Symmetrical Hybrid PV Converter With Low Common-Mode Noise

Hybrid converters with multiports (simultaneous DC and AC outputs) are promising solutions to reduce conversion stages from solar energy to various loads, and thereby increasing the utilization of residential PV systems. Considering common-mode noises suppression and high reliability, this paper proposes a fully symmetrical hybrid PV converter concept with two DC ports and one AC port. The proposed converter adopts symmetrical boost impedances at the low-voltage DC port and symmetrical synchronization rectifier switches at the high-voltage DC port. In addition, a symmetrical AC-decoupling inverter, i.e., highly efficient and reliable inverter concept (HERIC), operates as either a boost switch or an inverter to perform DC-DC and DC-AC conversions simultaneously. Combined with a dedicated modulation method with deadtime, the proposed converter has low leakage currents for grid-connected PV applications, low CM noise as a DC-DC converter, and flexible power control capability. Experiments have been carried out on a prototype to verify the effectiveness of the proposed converter.

ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF ON-GRID PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS IN A SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSE IN RIO DE JANEIRO CITY

Brazil is a tropical country with favorable conditions for the generation and utilization of solar energy. This energy source becomes even more attractive when considering the dry periods that impact hydroelectric power generation in the country, resulting in an increase in energy costs reflected monthly in consumers' bills through tariff flags. In order to enhance residential architectural designs and promote energy efficiency, a feasibility study of photovoltaic systems was conducted, considering key economic indicators and the current tariff flags. To accomplish this, research was conducted in collaboration with Mounting Companies for a case study located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, adopting technical assumptions commonly used for residential photovoltaic system sizing. For the graphical sizing of the case study, factors such as the environment and summer and winter solstices were taken into account, and a shadow study was conducted to assess the potential loss of power generation by the photovoltaic system throughout the year. The shadow study revealed that, during both solstices, the optimal time for power generation by photovoltaic systems is between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Essentially, the calculated values of NPV (Net Present Value) and IRR (Internal Rate of Return) indicate that the project is economically viable and particularly advantageous during the yellow and red tariff flags, situations in which energy costs tend to be higher for consumers.

Advancing the Adoption of Net Metering: An Economic Assessment of Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Urban Homes in Ghana

Net metering schemes are pivotal in advancing grid-tied solar PV systems and promoting renewable energy adoption in developing nations. This study investigates the economic viability of implementing net metering within urban households in Ghana, considering the existing block tariff structure and a proposed time-of-use (ToU) structure for grid-tied PV systems. The study employed PVSOL premium (2023 R3) software for the economic performance assessment of the net metering schemes for simulated grid-tied residential PV systems in selected cities of Ghana’s Coastal, Forest, and Savannah climatic zones. The evaluation encompasses key economic metrics, including the levelized cost of electricity, accrued cash flow, annual cash savings, internal rate of return, and payback period. The study findings showed that, in most scenarios, the existing block tariff structure initially proved more economically favourable than the proposed two-tier Time-of-Use (ToU) structure. Consequently, financial investments were recouped within the project’s lifespan under net metering schemes based on the existing block tariff structure, whereas investments were not recouped under the ToU-based schemes. Nevertheless, factors such as improved daytime consumption, rising electricity tariffs, and aligning peak demand pricing hours with solar power generation hours emerged as potential drivers that could make ToU-based net metering schemes more attractive than block tariff structures. The study findings have significant implications for policy development related to tariff structures, particularly concerning the implementation of net metering for grid-tied solar PV systems within the residential sector of Ghana and other developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Formulation of billing policy for residential scale solar PV systems and its impact in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Governments worldwide have introduced diverse billing methods and regulations to promote the adoption of photovoltaic (PV) systems, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This paper aims to develop a billing policy for installing rooftop PV systems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by studying policies implemented to support installing PV systems in leading countries. Initially, the system is evaluated using the tariff predetermined by Saudi Electricity Cogeneration Regulation Authority under three different policies: a Feed-in Tariff (FIT), net metering, and net billing for different sizes of solar systems 10 kW, 15 kW, and 20 kW. The findings suggest a considerable discounted payback period ranging from 14 to 20 years under the net metering framework with the current tariff structure. In contrast, investments under FIT and net billing schemes do not appear to be viable. Thus, a tariff schedule, tailored according to the consumer-preferred payback period, is proposed. For a payback timeframe of 6–10 years, the tariff should range between $0.09–0.06 $/kWh within the FIT scheme. However, in the case of a net billing policy, the tariff should vary between $0.123–0.066 $/kWh. These findings suggest the supremacy of the FIT scheme, particularly if the government determined to use the low tariff policy.

Techno-economic analysis on optimizing the value of photovoltaic electricity in a high-latitude location

This study performs a techno-economic analysis of different photovoltaic (PV) systems suitable for detached houses in high-latitude locations and quantifies the key economic indicators affecting their competitiveness. Residential PV systems providing different temporal power production profiles are compared, accounting for the electricity price variations in the day-ahead market and the possibility of self-consuming the produced electricity. The procedure allows novel and comprehensive case study analysis that captures PV production, self-consumption, and dynamic electricity pricing, ultimately revealing the value of the produced PV electricity. This procedure is applied to a hundred case studies representing single-family houses with different PV systems, electricity load profiles, and electricity contracts. Vertical East-West mounted bifacial panels (VBPV) reached superior performance, with 9.1% higher overall production (with 2019 weather data) and 7.4%–10.9% higher economic value (with 2019 and 2022 electricity price data) for the produced PV electricity compared with monofacial PV. Thus, VBPV is an excellent choice for households economically, but the availability of suitable installation sites in the urban environment limits the possibility of its utilization. The economic value of PV electricity strongly correlates with self-consumed electricity due to avoided transmission fees and taxes, and a significant drop in total production causes only a minor reduction in value if the amount of self-consumed electricity remains similar. Thus, for a small-scale producer who orients the panels toward the East and the West instead of the South with a 45° tilt, the economic loss is significantly smaller (even as low as 12.6%) than the production loss (23.2%).

Prosumers as drivers of SDG7 in Palestine: Net-benefit analysis of grid-connected photovoltaic systems

The present study assessed the prosumer benefits of a residential photovoltaic system based on a net-benefit analysis. Net present value ranged from 187 to 2811 $/kW in the low-market scenario and 1226–5642 $/kW in the high-market scenario. Net benefits were verified in net metering contexts, while contexts without net metering had break-even points of 31% and 48% self-consumption for the two scenarios, respectively. Policy recommendations are proposed to encourage investment in renewable energy plants in the Palestinian territory to increase energy security while contributing to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 7.

Performance Assessment User Interface to Enhance the Utilization of Grid-Connected Residential PV Systems

The share of renewable energy resources in modern electrical power networks is increasing in order to meet environmental and technical targets. Consequently, energy researchers and power providers have been focusing on optimizing the integration of renewable energy into existing power grids. One of the most significant growing applications of renewable energy resources is residential photovoltaic (PV) systems; therefore, this paper discusses a new methodology to enhance the utilization of small-scale and medium-scale PV systems. For this purpose, this study proposes a user-friendly interface to help novice users optimally design their own PV projects with the highest possible utilization of the installed panels. Unlike the commercially available design tools, the proposed interface in this paper provides a higher degree-of-freedom computational process, as well as the option of improving the generated power quality, while maintaining the simplicity of the required tools and inputs. The proposed methodology mainly relies on a deep mathematical analysis considering different generation and consumption aspects, such as the load profile, time of usage, ambient temperature, PV system specifications and location. Furthermore, the mechanism of integrating a small portion of Energy Storage Systems (ESSs), to improve the quality of the extracted power, is also discussed in this study. The user interface provides the ability to estimate optimal ESS usage versus the estimated price when energy is urgently required. The case study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the results showed an essential improvement in the efficiency, solar fraction and power quality of the studied PV project, which can be extended to other home and distributed generation (DG) scales.

Behind-the-meter residential photovoltaic plus battery systems – An insight to business models under net-metering

This paper contributes with an analysis of the development of photovoltaic plus battery systems under net-metering using elements of business models, from the perspective of value proposition and value capture features. The Brazilian regulatory framework for distributed generation is taken as example. Five photovoltaic plus battery schemes are envisaged and value creation is analyzed regarding two aspects: batteries can improve photovoltaic generation and load mismatch and batteries can cooperate with the distribution system. Policy implications and barriers to the implementation of these schemes are indicated. A techno-economic feasibility analysis for residential prosumers is conducted to gain insight about the viability gap in three realistic scenarios. Behind-the-meter photovoltaic plus battery systems for arbitrage under Time-of-use energy tariffs and a scenario that includes the sale of stored energy to the grid are analyzed in relation to an only-photovoltaic system scenario. Three cities with different photovoltaic generation potential, tariffs and human development index provide good diversity for the comparisons. We find that in favorable locations in terms of high TOU tariffs and good solar radiation, Behind-the-meter photovoltaic plus battery systems could be spontaneously adopted if stacking revenues are allowed, but a case-by-case study is necessary. Moreover, in other cases net present value and payback signal economic viability, then, when specific technical conditions indicate the use of batteries integrated with photovoltaic systems to mitigate negative local effects of photovoltaic generation, in many regions of the country they are viable.

Photovoltaic technology in rural residential buildings in China: a comprehensive review on applications, development and its benefits

ABSTRACT China’s rural residential photovoltaic system has been greatly developed in recent years. However, most existing researches, are difficult to reflect the real development situation of the whole system. This study systematically sorts out the results in related fields through the literature review, aiming to clarify the current situation of applications and benefits of photovoltaic technology. The results show that currently the photovoltaic power generation technology is relatively mature and widely applied, and passive photovoltaic technology can play a greater role in reducing energy consumption in rural residential buildings in China. However, the development of photothermal and photovoltaic combined with other energy technologies, as well as the integration between photovoltaic technology and buildings are relatively lagging behind. Besides, the life cycle analysis and evaluation of photovoltaic system has not been established. In view of opportunities and challenges, this study prospects two future development directions. Firstly, the system coupling of photovoltaic technology should be strengthened, especially between the joint supply subsystems, between the active and passive technologies, and between photovoltaic technology and buildings. Secondly, the rationality of photovoltaic technology evaluation should be ensured, particularly to cover the three aspects of economy, ecology and society on the whole life cycle dimension.

Techno-Economic Analysis of Residential Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar PV Systems in Indonesia Under MEMR 26/2021 Regulation

Grid-connected commercial rooftop solar PV systems have been widely used worldwide to provide affordable, clean energy and long-term energy security solutions. This is especially true in cities where space is limited and rooftops are not being used. According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) No 26/2021 regulation in Indonesia, the rooftop PV system is allowed to be integrated with electricity grid with an export-import metering. The owner of the rooftop PV system will not only reduce their electricity bill, but also offset the energy over a period of 10 years. This paper provides a design and sizing analysis of a small scale rooftop solar PV system for residential. This study uses the PVsyst and SolarGIS tools to estimate the amount of energy produced by a 3 kWp solar system. It also provides a financial evaluation of the system's profitability, with particular attention to commercial buildings that are covered under MEMR regulation. This detailed analysis can be used by asset owners to decide the best way forward in terms of sustainable energy production and cost savings, as well as addressing the energy security problem.

Smart control of energy storage system in residential photovoltaic systems for economic and technical efficiency

Smart control of energy storage system in residential photovoltaic systems for economic and technical efficiency

The effect of partial shading on the reliability of photovoltaic modules in the built-environment

Residential photovoltaic systems often experience partial shading from chimneys, trees or other structures, which can induce hot-spots in the modules. If the temperature and frequency of these hot-spots are high, the module's reliability and safety may be at risk. IEC 61215-2:2021 hot-spot endurance test is utilized to evaluate the materials' ability to withstand partial shading. Since modules in residential systems can be subjected to higher temperatures than those in the open field, IEC TS 63126:2020 recommends adjusting the module temperature for the hot-spot endurance test according to the module's operating temperature. This study tested the hot-spot endurance of PERC, IBC and HJT modules under standard (55 °C) and more severe (75 °C, Level 2 condition in IEC TS 63126:2020) test conditions, as well as outdoor accelerated-ageing tests were performed with shadow masks. The results demonstrated that irrespective of environmental conditions, hot-spots can form at lower temperatures, with more shading-tolerant cells (i.e., cells with lower breakdown voltage) or with shorter strings. We also show that it is possible to shorten the effort- and time-consuming hot-spot endurance test described in the standard and obtain similar results. In addition, the hot-spot endurance test for residential PV systems was evaluated in terms of module temperatures and duration. In this respect, we propose to increase the testing temperatures of the hot-spot endurance testing for modules operating at high temperatures in IEC TS 63126:2020.

Optimizing the annual energy yield of a residential bifacial photovoltaic system using response surface methodology

This study investigates the impact of ground albedo, module spacing, height, and tilt angle on the annual energy output of a small-scale residential photovoltaic (PV) system. The study used response surface methodology (RSM) integrated with PVsyst simulation tool for the analysis. The results obtained from PVsyst are verified by comparing them with data from existing literature. Two significant contributions were demonstrated in this study: a parametric analysis that evaluates the influence of several parameters on the annual energy output, and a detailed statistical analysis that utilizes RSM with optimization. The central composite design with 30 runs was used for the experimental design. Within the tested ranges, the findings indicate that ground albedo, module spacing, and module tilt angle significantly affect annual energy generation. The RSM generated a statistical model that predicts the system's annual energy generation, with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.99. Moreover, the RSM can identify the optimal values of the studied controllable parameters, which can lead to improved system performance and increased energy output. The optimization analysis reveals that the system's highest annual energy output is attained when the ground albedo is set at 0.82, the module spacing is 8.95 m, the module height is 1.35 m, and the module tilt angle is 35.7°. These parameters were determined based on the weather conditions in Sharjah, UAE. The findings reveal that the annual energy production of the tilted bifacial PV (T-BiPV's) improves by 12.4 %, when ground albedo is increased from 0.2 to 0.8. Also, the output increases by 69.47 % when spacing is increased from 2 m to 8 m. Additionally, increasing the height of the T-BiPV modules from 0.5 m to 2 m results in an increase in energy output by 5.63 %. This study can serve as a basis for further investigations into optimizing bifacial PV systems using RSM, particularly under restricted module spacing or when taking land cost into account in the optimization.

Comparison of Energy Storage Management Techniques for a Grid-Connected PV- and Battery-Supplied Residential System

The use of renewable energy sources (RES) such as wind and solar power is increasing rapidly to meet growing electricity demand. However, the intermittent nature of RES poses a challenge to grid stability. Energy storage (ES) technologies offer a solution by adding flexibility to the system. With the emergence of distributed energy resources (DERs) and the transition to prosumer-based electricity systems, energy management systems (EMSs) have become crucial to coordinate the operation of different devices and optimize system efficiency and functionality. This paper presents an EMS for a residential photovoltaic (PV) and battery system that addresses two different functionalities: energy cost minimization, and self-consumption maximization. The proposed EMS takes into account the operational requirements of the devices and their lower-level controllers. A genetic algorithm (GA) is used to solve the optimization problems, ensuring a desired State of Charge (SOC) at the end of the day based on the next day forecast, without discretizing the SOC transitions allowing a continuous search space. The importance of adhering to the manufacturer’s operating specification to avoid premature battery degradation is highlighted, and a comparative analysis is performed with a simple tariff-driven solution, evaluating total cost, energy exchange, and peak power. Tests are carried out in a detailed model, where Power Electronics Converters (PECs) and their local controllers are considered together with the EMS.

Techno-economic assessment of residential and farm-based photovoltaic systems

The present study aims to provide a techno-economic analysis of two commonly used photovoltaic (PV) systems, Residential PV (RPV), and Farm-based PV systems (FPV) in Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU), South Sumatra, Indonesia. The study includes calculating the potential power output using simulation by the PVsyst program, the economic calculations, and the sensitivity test. The result showed that the average Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) was 4.8 kWh/m2 and fluctuated depending on the location and seasons. The economic analysis found that both photovoltaic systems were profitable investments and less risky projects. Further economic analysis confirmed that the different size of PV system has no competitiveness in economic profitability, but the Payment Back Period (PBP) depends on the annual profit and investment size. The sensitivity analysis found that the selling depreciation has the greatest impact on the viability of PV investment, while Operation and Maintenance (O&M) fluctuation has no significant effects. These findings provide an overview of how investing in PV technologies in Indonesia could benefit people of all financial backgrounds. The government of Republic of Indonesia could start regulating the PV investment bankable to stimulate more people in Indonesia to participate in green energy investment. This collaboration potentially helps the government of the Republic of Indonesia in meeting its energy transition goal by 2045.

Real options valuation of photovoltaic investments: A case from Turkey

Investments in renewable energy resources have become inevitable due to increasing energy demand and energy prices, diminishing non-renewable energy resources, and the outgrowth of carbon footprints. Photovoltaic (PV) systems offer high solar energy potential in sustainable energy production whereas their high initial costs necessitate critical strategic valuation of investments. Valuation with conventional methods has been challenging due to existence of uncertainties such as fluctuating PV panel prices, changing meteorological conditions with certain effects on power generation, and governmental policies on energy market regulations. This study aims to propose a real options approach to valuation of residential rooftop PV system investments considering these uncertainties and demonstrate benefits of this approach with an application on the residential PV investment decisions in Turkey. The proposed method, Real Options Valuation (ROV) with Least-Squares Monte Carlo Simulation (LSMC) considers the deferral option of the investor by utilizing stochastic simulations, the discounted cash flow method, linear regression, and backward dynamic programming and thus evaluates the effects of uncertainties on financial attractiveness of residential PV investments. The case study findings proved that ROV with LSMC having a 7-years deferral option supported the investment decision with realizable cost-effective options while “NPV method” resulted in an infeasible investment. Scenario analysis was also conducted to explore policy options that can be used to promote solar energy investments in Turkey. This study has a potential to have practical contributions for investors as well as implications for policy-makers.

Climate Change Implications for Optimal Sizing of Residential Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Qatar

Climate change poses critical challenges for Qatar’s energy-intensive residential building sector. This study evaluates the impact of projected climate warming on optimizing rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV) for villas. An integrated modelling approach is employed, combining building energy simulation, PV system optimization, and performance assessment under varying climate scenarios. A typical Qatari villa is modelled in DesignBuilder and simulated under the baseline (2002) conditions and the projected years 2016, 2050, and 2100, reflecting incremental warming. Results show the villa’s annual electricity consumption will grow 22% by 2100, with summer peaks escalating to 26% driven by surging cooling demands. Techno-economic optimization in HOMER Pro (version 3.10) verifies a grid-connected rooftop PV system as optimal in all years, with capacity expanding from 7.4 kW to 8.2 kW between 2002 and 2100 to meet rising air conditioning loads. However, as temperatures increase, PV’s energy contribution declines slightly from 18% to 16% due to climate change degrading solar yields. Nonetheless, the modelled PV system maintains strong financial viability, achieving 5–8 years of paybacks across scenarios. This analysis provides empirical evidence of distributed PV’s effectiveness for Qatar’s households amidst escalating cooling consumption. However, maintaining solar mitigation potential requires evolving PV sizing methodologies and incentives to account for declining panel productivity at the country’s peak temperatures exceeding 50 °C. Overall, this study’s integrated framework evaluates residential solar PV systems’ capabilities and appropriate policy evolution under projected climate impacts for the first time in Qatar. The modelling approach and conclusions can inform building codes and pro-solar policies to accelerate adoption for emissions reduction. With villas representing over 100,000 units in Qatar, widespread rooftop PV integration can meaningfully contribute to national sustainability targets if implementation barriers are addressed considering climate change effects.

Techno-economic assessment of small-size residential solar PV + battery systems under different tariff structures in Brazil

This paper proposes a methodology to assess the energy and economic impact of adopting small-scale residential photovoltaic (PV) systems paired with lithium-ion battery energy storage (BESS) systems in single-family homes, under the current energy feed-in legislation. The suggested methodology was applied to a case study of a prosumer unit (PU) in Brazil. Data from energy bills, measured PV generation, BESS behaviour, and energy consumption were analysed to compare different viewpoints and estimate key economic indicators. As a result, the PV + BESS combination increases residential users' energy self-consumption and self-sufficiency, resulting in respective increases of 15 % and 2 %. Under the conventional tariff, adopting the PV + BESS system led to an average 29 % reduction in electricity costs compared to scenarios without PV + BESS. Furthermore, by transitioning to the white tariff mode in conjunction with PV + BESS, the PU achieved a 49 % reduction. This result emphasizes the advantages of time-of-use adoption for PV + BESS consumers. A greater discrepancy between tariff periods enhances the feasibility of storing off-peak energy for use during peak periods. Currently, BESS implementation costs impede competitiveness, with attractive LCOS metrics achieved only at costs below $600.00/kWh and MRAs below 9 %. BESS + PV lowers generation costs compared to off-peak rates, increasing the viability of shared usage. Integrating PV + BESS systems with rate switching significantly diminishes electricity expenses. The substantial BESS implementation cost necessitates a noteworthy rate differential for viability, which could potentially impact non-PV and non-BESS consumers.