Load-match-driven design improvement of solar PV systems and its impact on the grid with a case study

Abstract

The incorporation of solar energy systems into residential buildings is emerging as an important method of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from the housing industry. However, several challenges accompany the deployment of solar PV for residential construction, such as determining an optimum size and layout design for best on-site system utilization in conformity to local roof sloping practices, especially in cold-climate regions. In addition, solar PV applications in high-latitude regions encounter other challenges, such as seasonal variations in daylight hours and in the sun's path, and soiling parameters such as snow coverage. These challenges result in a PV mismatch: (a) in winter, minimal PV-generated energy and high energy demand (due to space heating and hot water heating loads), and (b) in summer, PV over-generation and reduced energy demand. This paper aims to mitigate the impact of solar PV micro-generation and household loads on the utility grid by improving solar PV layout placement in order to maximize the system's load-match and minimize its grid interaction.