Regional conceptual design and analysis studies for residential photovoltaic systems. Final report, September 1977-September 1978
Conceptual design and analyses of photovoltaic (PV) systems are presented for residences applicable to various regions of the United States during the mid-1980 time period. A wide range of roof-mounted array systems was studied including PV-only systems and combined and separate PV/thermal collection systems which provide heat for space conditioning and domestic hot water. The attractiveness of the system options were assessed in terms of performance and economic competitiveness based on hourly weather data for twelve designated regions of the US representing a broad spectrum of climatic characteristics. The study determined that if PV economic goals are achieved, PV-only solar energy systems for residential use should be emphasized because of their potential economic viability in all regions. On the basis of the costs and benefits used in the analysis, residential systems without batteries are preferred over systems with batteries assuming utility feedback acceptance at some differential buy-back rate such as 40 to 50% of the sell rate. Side-by-side PV/thermal systems become more viable across the nation with a PV system cost to thermal system cost ratio of 1. The combined PV/thermal collector systems were economically unattractive due to the projected performance and costs assumed in the study. Based on the study results, the immediate implementation of a residential test program is recommended. As part of the study, designs were developed for a habitable test house and a residential test-bed facility to the requirements of the test program. These facilities should be considered in the southwest, northeast, and southeast regions of the country in that order.
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co., Philadelphia, PA (USA). Space Div.
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-04-0789
- OSTI ID:
- 6080152
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-78-7039(Vol.2)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Regional conceptual design and analysis studies for residential photovoltaic systems
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Related Subjects
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
DESIGN
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
PERFORMANCE
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
APPLIANCES
COMBINED COLLECTORS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COOLING LOAD
COST
DATA
DEGREE DAYS
DIAGRAMS
ECONOMICS
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY STORAGE
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
HEATING LOAD
INVERTERS
OPTIMIZATION
POWER CONDITIONING CIRCUITS
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
SIZE
SOLAR AIR CONDITIONING
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SOLAR SPACE HEATING
SOLAR WATER HEATING
SPECIFICATIONS
TABLES
TEST FACILITIES
WEATHER
AIR CONDITIONING
BUILDINGS
DATA FORMS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
HEATING
HEATING SYSTEMS
INFORMATION
POWER
POWER SUPPLIES
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR HEATING
SPACE HEATING
STORAGE
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion
140300 - Solar Energy- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects