The Solar Photovoltaic Model

A residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems is composed of an array of solar photovoltaic panels and an optional energy storage device. The system is uses the photovoltaic panels to collect sun light and convert it into electricity that can be used by devices in the home, or stored into a battery. In a distributed solar PV system, households reduce their electricity demand from the grid by supplementing usage with the electricity generated by a residential solar PV system.

Several factors affect the design of the PV system including weather, component costs, electricity usage patterns of appliances, and grid electricity costs. This tool allows the user to understand the affects of these factors when designing a distributed solar PV system.

In this model, the appliances form the basic electricity demand unit. Each appliance has a certain probability of being turned on at any given point. This set of appliances and their usage patterns is used to simulate the electrical demands of a representative household. The electricity generated by the solar panel is dependent on the irradiation level experienced by the solar panel over the course of the day. The extra electricity generated by solar PV can be stored in battery.