Economic Applicability of Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Systems in Commercial Buildings: Case Study in South Korean Climate
This study investigated the applicability of a tracking photovoltaic (PV) system installed in the roof area of a commercial building. Because PVWatts is the only PV module with a tracking feature in EnergyPlus, its electricity generation was validated through comparisons with detailed PV modules in...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/21/7338 |
| _version_ | 1797631978531454976 |
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| author | Jaewan Joe Jinhyung Park Heewon Choi Yooseok Park Jungwhan Oh Younghoon Kwak |
| author_facet | Jaewan Joe Jinhyung Park Heewon Choi Yooseok Park Jungwhan Oh Younghoon Kwak |
| author_sort | Jaewan Joe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigated the applicability of a tracking photovoltaic (PV) system installed in the roof area of a commercial building. Because PVWatts is the only PV module with a tracking feature in EnergyPlus, its electricity generation was validated through comparisons with detailed PV modules in EnergyPlus. The tracking PV system generated 26.8–35.5% more electricity annually than a fixed system in the climate of Incheon (S. Korea). The load coverage analysis of the tracking PV system was conducted with the reference commercial building model in EnergyPlus. Approximately 14% of the total building electric demand, including heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning; lighting; and equipment, was met by one PV array. Finally, the life cycle cost analysis of the tracking PV system was conducted by considering the net present value, which includes the initial installation and operation costs. The initial investment was returned after approximately 8 years, assuming between two and six tracking PV arrays were installed. Moreover, up to 26.8% cost savings were achieved in 15 years compared to the case without any PV arrays. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T11:30:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-150cda4d099d4903b59d43d983d8e831 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T11:30:22Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-150cda4d099d4903b59d43d983d8e8312023-11-10T15:02:14ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732023-10-011621733810.3390/en16217338Economic Applicability of Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Systems in Commercial Buildings: Case Study in South Korean ClimateJaewan Joe0Jinhyung Park1Heewon Choi2Yooseok Park3Jungwhan Oh4Younghoon Kwak5Department of Architectural Engineering, INHA University, Incheon 22212, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Smart City Engineering, INHA University, Incheon 22212, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Architectural Engineering, INHA University, Incheon 22212, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Architectural Engineering, INHA University, Incheon 22212, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Architectural Engineering, INHA University, Incheon 22212, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Architecture, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Republic of KoreaThis study investigated the applicability of a tracking photovoltaic (PV) system installed in the roof area of a commercial building. Because PVWatts is the only PV module with a tracking feature in EnergyPlus, its electricity generation was validated through comparisons with detailed PV modules in EnergyPlus. The tracking PV system generated 26.8–35.5% more electricity annually than a fixed system in the climate of Incheon (S. Korea). The load coverage analysis of the tracking PV system was conducted with the reference commercial building model in EnergyPlus. Approximately 14% of the total building electric demand, including heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning; lighting; and equipment, was met by one PV array. Finally, the life cycle cost analysis of the tracking PV system was conducted by considering the net present value, which includes the initial installation and operation costs. The initial investment was returned after approximately 8 years, assuming between two and six tracking PV arrays were installed. Moreover, up to 26.8% cost savings were achieved in 15 years compared to the case without any PV arrays.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/21/7338solar trackingPVWattsreference office buildinglife cycle cost analysis |
| spellingShingle | Jaewan Joe Jinhyung Park Heewon Choi Yooseok Park Jungwhan Oh Younghoon Kwak Economic Applicability of Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Systems in Commercial Buildings: Case Study in South Korean Climate Energies solar tracking PVWatts reference office building life cycle cost analysis |
| title | Economic Applicability of Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Systems in Commercial Buildings: Case Study in South Korean Climate |
| title_full | Economic Applicability of Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Systems in Commercial Buildings: Case Study in South Korean Climate |
| title_fullStr | Economic Applicability of Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Systems in Commercial Buildings: Case Study in South Korean Climate |
| title_full_unstemmed | Economic Applicability of Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Systems in Commercial Buildings: Case Study in South Korean Climate |
| title_short | Economic Applicability of Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Systems in Commercial Buildings: Case Study in South Korean Climate |
| title_sort | economic applicability of solar tracking photovoltaic systems in commercial buildings case study in south korean climate |
| topic | solar tracking PVWatts reference office building life cycle cost analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/21/7338 |
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