Proceedings of MATSUS Fall 2023 Conference (MATSUSFall23)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29363/nanoge.matsus.2023.230
Publication date: 18th July 2023
Fully decarbonising our energy system will require increased implementation of renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaics, but also more efficient utilisation of the energy that is generated. This can be achieved through design of systems where the photovoltaic generation is integrated into the overall system to maximise efficiency of energy use, or by combining photovoltaic generation with other functions such as production of fuels, energy storage, heat management, clean water, or other uses of space. Optimising the integrated system requires knowledge of the optical and electrical response of the solar module in different conditions and control of those properties as well models of the whole system performance, resource availability and demand. The choice of PV technology may not be the most important factor. We have developed a flexible energy system modelling tool [1], that can be applied to such optimisations. We will present examples of the integration of PV in different systems, and consider how system design and operation influence overall performance.