Increased photovoltaic utilisation from direct current distribution: Quantification of geographical location impact. (30th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ollas, Patrik; Thiringer, Torbjörn; Chen, Huijuan; Markusson, Caroline
• Is Part Of: Progress in photovoltaics. Volume 29:Number 7(2021)
• Page Start: 846
• Page End: 856
• Publication Date: 2021-03-30
• Subjects: battery storage -- direct current (DC) -- energy savings -- photovoltaic -- PV load correlation -- residential building; Solar cells -- Periodicals; Photovoltaic cells -- Periodicals; Solar power plants -- Periodicals; 621.31245
• DOI: 10.1002/pip.3407
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1062-7995

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, the performance of a direct current (DC) distribution system is modelled for a single‐family residential building and compared with a conventional alternating current (AC) system to quantify the potential energy savings and gains in photovoltaic (PV) utilisation. The modelling is made for two different climates to quantify the impact of the geographical location. Results show that the system losses are reduced by 19–46% and the PV utilisation increased by 3.9–7.4% when using a DC distribution system compared to an AC equivalent, resulting in system efficiency gains in the range of 1.3–8.8%. Furthermore, it is shown that the geographical location has some effect on the system's performance and PV utilisation, but most importantly, the grid interaction is paramount for the performance of the DC topology. Abstract : The energy performance of a residential building is modelled using a DC topology and compared to an equivalent AC for two geographical locations. Results show that the DC topology outperforms the equivalent AC, with loss savings in the range of 19–46% and increased PV utilisation and system efficiencies of 3.9–7.4% and 1.3–8.8%, respectively. Comparing the two locations shows some effect on the DC gain, but most importantly, the grid interaction is paramount for the DC topology's performance.