IN-24-C047 - Thermal Response of a Solar Photovoltaic Energy Storage System for Application in Buildings PDF

Residential buildings consume a substantial amount of energy in the United States. This has necessitated the need for research on energy consumption in these buildings with a view to reducing reliance on fossil fuels consumption and mitigation of environmental impact. Solar energy emerges as a promising alternative for residential buildings due to its renewable nature and potential for rooftop installations. In this project, a scaled solar photovoltaic energy storage system (SPVESS) that can be utilized in a typical US family residential building was developed. The system consists of a photovoltaic panel array, battery storage, charge controller, and an inverter. The thermal response analysis of this system provided promising insights into the efficiency of the solar photovoltaic energy storage system for application in buildings. Year- round data was gathered on the ambient conditions, wind speed, solar radiation, cell conditions, power generated by the system, etc. Analytical expressions accurately represented the performance of the PV module in diverse weather conditions. Key findings include the dependency of PV module efficiency on weather conditions, providing valuable insights for optimizing energy output. The results show significant contribution towards achieving self-sufficiency in residential energy consumption through solar collection. Furthermore, the computer program developed, demonstrated predictive capabilities, providing a practical tool for projecting daily energy generation based on real-time weather data. Additionally, the study highlights the significant influence of operating temperature on solar cell efficiency, emphasizing the importance of effective temperature management for maximizing system performance and ensuring sustainability of solar energy as a renewable power source.