Simulations of the energy performance of a solar photovoltaic residence and hybrid electric automobile in Fresno, California
The hour-by-hour energy performance of a photovoltaic residence and hybrid electric vehicle system that could be built with 1980s' technology is analyzed. Thermal and electrical performance in both stand-alone and grid-connected configurations were simulated with computer models using actual hourly solar and weather data for Fresno, California. The system centers around an energy-efficient residence that incorporates passive heating and cooling. For the simulations in this study, 110 square meters of GE photovoltaic shingle modules (9.6 kW(e) rated power), a 10 kW(e) dc-ac inverter, and advanced lead-acid batteries of 61 kWh(e) capacity were added to the residence. The auto has 30 kWh(e) of lead-acid batteries and a 40-hp electric drive motor for propulsion. The auto was assumed to travel 100 km (62 miles) each day (36,500 km (22,680 miles) annually). A small (10 kW(e)) backup liquid-fueled engine/generator in the auto provides supplemental electricity on cloudy days and for long-distance travel. The utility would provide backup electricity for the residence, or the auto engine/generator can provide this backup power to the residence as well as so-called waste heat from the engine for space heating and domestic hot water. Year-round heating and cooling needs are met primarily with passive design features, and most hot water comes from a solar water heater. The PV array meets all the electrical loads of the residence on 315 days and part of the load on the other 50 days. The PV array also meets the entire auto electricity load on 166 days, and part of the load on another 116 days. A brief cost analysis indicates that both stand-alone and grid-connected systems would be competitive with grid electricity and conventional autos within this decade.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); JSR Associates, Palo Alto, CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5618562
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-81-7044; ON: DE82007563
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
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330300 -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Electric-Powered Systems
APPLIANCES
AUXILIARY SYSTEMS
BUILDINGS
CALIFORNIA
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DESIGN
ECONOMICS
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT INTERFACES
HEATERS
HEATING SYSTEMS
HOUSES
HYBRID ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
INTERCONNECTED POWER SYSTEMS
INVERTERS
LEAD-ACID BATTERIES
NORTH AMERICA
PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
PERFORMANCE
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
POWER DEMAND
POWER SUPPLIES
POWER SYSTEMS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SIMULATION
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
USA
VEHICLES
WATER HEATERS
WESTERN REGION