Solar Trigeneration System Model for Off-Grid Residential Applications

Abstract : A solar trigeneration system for off-grid households, based on photovoltaic-thermal (PV/T) collectors, photovoltaic (PV) modules and a heat pump (HP), whose aim is to provide enough electricity, domestic hot water (DHW), heating and cooling power to meet the typical demand of an offgrid single family dwelling, is modeled to predict its performance, enable system sizing and evaluate the impact of different control and management strategies. The system integrates an autonomous photovoltaic system, a solar DHW system and a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. Thus, according to local climate data, construction elements, load profiles and storage dynamics, the model computes the system’s net results using a simple supply and demand approach. Additionally, a design space methodology is used to evaluate system performance for different sizes and identify a feasible design region within which reliable and cost-effective system sizing is possible.