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Renewable hybrid systems with small capacities are widely installed for joining demand response in modern communities. Based on hybrid systems, renewable energy generation can be stored and used for power supply during peak load period. It is impractical to control power flow in such small-scale systems, because power flow dispatching asks for extra investment of expensive regulators and adaptors. In this paper, a switching grid connected photovoltaic system is studied for simplifying system installation. Optimal switching control model is proposed to sufficiently utilize the solar energy and to minimize electricity cost under the time-of-use program. As shown in results, optimal scheduling of the PV system can achieve promising cost savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: During the last few years the photovoltaic energy market has seen an outstanding growth. According to the new directive on renewable energies of the European Commission (2009/28/EC), the European Union should reach a 20% share of the total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. The national overall targets impose for Italy a 17% renewable share: in case of failure the gap would be filled by importation of renewable energy from non-UE countries. The ambitious national targets and thus the continuously increasing interest on renewable fuels, require simple but reliable methods for the energy potential assessment over large-scale territories. Considering roof-top integrated PV systems, the assessment of the PV energy potential passes through the evaluation of the roof surface area available for installations. In the present paper a methodology for estimating the PV solar energy potential is presented, together with its application to Piedmont Region (North-Western Italy). The roof area suitable for solar applications, is calculated through the analysis of available GIS data. The solar radiation maps are taken from the database of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. Different solar energy exploitation scenarios are proposed with the relative perspective results and confidence interval. Further developments and applications of the presented methodology are finally discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]