Simulation of Self-Consumption Photovoltaic Installations: Profitability Thresholds
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Department of Applied Physics, Radiology and Physical Medicine, Campus of Rabanales, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
2
Department of Electrical Engineering and Automatics, Campus of Rabanales, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Allen M. Barnett
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(14), 6517; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11146517
Received: 21 May 2021
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Revised: 2 July 2021
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Accepted: 9 July 2021
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Published: 15 July 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improvements in the Production, Monitoring, Management and Impact on the Grid of Photovoltaic Installations)
PV self-consumption can contribute positively to the spread of PV and, therefore, to the progress of renewable energies as a key element in a decarbonized energy model. However, the policies of each country regarding the promotion of this type of renewable technology is fundamental for their growth. Despite the high number of sunshine hours registered in Spain, self-consumption in this country has not been authorized until recently. In this new context, this work presents a systematic study of the profitability limits of a self-consumption PV installation under different conditions of installed peak power, orientation and inclination of the PV panels and level of obstruction of the installation. It was proved that, for the case of study (Córdoba, Spain), the maximum profitability was achieved for PV panels oriented to the south and with an inclination of 15° whereas the most unfavourable conditions are those of PV panels with an orientation and inclination of 180° and 90°, respectively. Furthermore, when the level of obstruction increases the maximum of the Net Present Value of self-consumptions PV installations decreases and this optimal value is achieved for installations with lower power. Finally, empirical adjustment equations have been developed to estimate the profitability parameters of self-consumptions PV installations as a function of their design variables.
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Keywords:
photovoltaics; self-consumption; solar energy; PV profitability
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MDPI and ACS Style
Varo-Martínez, M.; Fernández-Ahumada, L.M.; López-Luque, R.; Ramírez-Faz, J. Simulation of Self-Consumption Photovoltaic Installations: Profitability Thresholds. Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 6517. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11146517
AMA Style
Varo-Martínez M, Fernández-Ahumada LM, López-Luque R, Ramírez-Faz J. Simulation of Self-Consumption Photovoltaic Installations: Profitability Thresholds. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11(14):6517. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11146517
Chicago/Turabian StyleVaro-Martínez, Marta, Luis M. Fernández-Ahumada, Rafael López-Luque, and José Ramírez-Faz. 2021. "Simulation of Self-Consumption Photovoltaic Installations: Profitability Thresholds" Applied Sciences 11, no. 14: 6517. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11146517
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