Microgeneration of Electricity Using a Solar Photovoltaic System in Ireland

Vinay Virupaksha, Mary Harty and Kevin McDonnell
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Vinay Virupaksha: School of Biosystems Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 N2E5 Dublin 4, Ireland
Mary Harty: School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 N2E5 Dublin 4, Ireland
Kevin McDonnell: School of Biosystems Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 N2E5 Dublin 4, Ireland

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 23, 1-26

Abstract: Microgeneration of electricity using solar photovoltaic (PV) systems is a sustainable form of renewable energy, however uptake in Ireland remains very low. The aim of this study is to assess the potential of the community-based roof top solar PV microgeneration system to supply electricity to the grid, and to explore a crowd funding mechanism for community ownership of microgeneration projects. A modelled microgeneration project was developed: the electricity load profiles of 68 residential units were estimated; a community-based roof top solar PV system was designed; an electricity network model, based on a real network supplying a town and its surrounding areas, was created; and power flow analysis on the electrical network for system peak and minimum loads was carried out. The embodied energy, energy payback time, GHG payback time, carbon credits and financial cost relating to the proposed solar PV system were calculated. Different crowdfunding models were assessed. Results show the deployment of community solar PV system projects have significant potential to reduce the peak demand, smooth the load profile, assist in the voltage regulation and reduce electrical losses and deliver cost savings to distribution system operator and the consumer.

Keywords: microgeneration; solar energy; photovoltaic; renewable energy; crowd funding (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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