Optimal Spatial Arrangement of Building-Applied PV Systems in the Built Environment

28th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition; 4508-4514
In order to reach high penetration levels of distributed PV electricity generation in the distribution grids, without overvoltage and other grid related problems, different concepts for peak shavings will have to be introduced. One possible way to alter the PV electricity generation profile, and at the same time increase the selfconsumption, is by installing PV panels in alternative orientations to avoid a large peak production at noon. In this study the qualitative and quantitative effects of PV installations in alternative orientations is investigated. Three different theoretical neighborhoods with different building orientations are studied at three different PV penetration levels. The results show that with a low PV system price the highest PV potential is found in neighborhoods where the building are placed so that the main roof orientations are east-west rather than north-south. The neighborhood where the buildings are east-west oriented reaches the highest solar fraction and the highest total electricity production at a given upper limit of the maximum peak power injected to the grid. However, in order for the neighborhood with east-west oriented houses to be truly favorable, also from an economical perspective, the PV system prices need to be lower than today and/or the electricity market price needs to be lower during mid day peak generation hours.