Maximum revenue (or cost saving) from non‐tracking photovoltaic (PV) modules used for distributed generation can be achieved by a module orientation that depends on how the electricity tariff varies with time of day and time of year. Many jurisdictions have real‐time market prices of electricity for large customers, time‐dependent tariffs or tariffs that depend on peak demand. This paper quantifies the impact of such tariffs on the optimal orientation of non‐tracking PV modules using example tariffs from California, Nevada and Ontario, and concludes that modules should be oriented to the west of south by 28°, 46° and 54° respectively. In order to focus on the impact of tariff, the results are based on simulations of a constant‐efficiency PV system operating under year‐round clear‐sky conditions. A generalized relationship between optimal azimuth and the on‐ to off‐peak ratio of time‐dependent tariffs is also presented. The paper quantifies the sensitivity of the dollar value of the power generated to non‐optimal orientation of the modules. Compared to conventional south facing modules tilted at an angle just under the latitude, the paper demonstrates that optimal orientation adds 4–19% to the revenue/cost savings, potentially affecting the economic viability of a PV installation. The peak demand components of the Ontario tariff have a much more substantial effect on the optimization and resultant revenues (cost savings) than variations in the real‐time market price of electricity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. In California and Nevada, time‐of‐use tariffs result in photovoltaic (PV) modules oriented significantly west in order to maximize cost savings from offsetting. In Ontario, tariffs for large customers have a grid peak‐dependent component, which is more important in determining optimal orientation than is the variability in the real‐time price of electricity or the effect of cloud. As the ratio between the tariff on summer afternoons and other times increases, the optimal orientation approaches 60° west asymptotically and the revenue increases linearly.


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    Title :

    Impact of electricity tariffs on optimal orientation of photovoltaic modules



    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2016




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    BKL:    53.36 Energiedirektumwandler, elektrische Energiespeicher



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