FEASIBILITY AND SIMULATION OF A SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION IN DC FOR STANDALONE SERVICES BUILDINGS

Abstract

This paper shows the results of a research work which main objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of using solar photovoltaic generators to feed, in standalone configuration, a direct current installation of a hosting services building. This building features a high energy consumption and is located in a geographic zone with medium solar irradiance. To this end, an innovative simulation model was developed and analyzed with both real consumption and weather data. Several scenarios representing different situations (including extremely unfavourable scenarios) were defined and tested. The principal motivation to carry out this research is to contribute to the development and deployment of technologies that ease the reduction of energy consumption of fossil origin. Therefore, the use of the building has been simulated in order to show that it is possible to operate it safely without energy cut offs or shortages, and with the supply quality required for a real edification; even in the most unfavourable period of the last 30 years. Moreover, the economic viability of the installation has been demonstrated since the presented model achieves a payback period of 6 years. With these results, both from a technological and economic point of view, the myth that states that photovoltaic solar energy is unfeasible is dismantled.