Optimization of the integration of photovoltaic systems on buildings for self-consumption - Case study in France

Abstract The massive deployment of Photovoltaic (PV) energy in cities, which is expected in the coming years, brings new challenges when it comes to controlling power variations inherent to the impact of high PV penetration on the economy, energy exchanges and grid stability. In this perspective, self-consumption, which consists in consuming locally a part of the produced PV energy, allows to smooth the variations in the solar power production, and therefore reduce the stress on the grid. Among other strategies, self-consumption can be enhanced by the adequate use of all the surfaces of a building (roof and facades). In the present work, the optimization of the PV integration on the roof and facades of a building, is performed in order to optimize objectives related to self-consumption. These objectives are based on different aspects of self-consumption: minimizing the exchanges of energy with the grid, improving grid stability, or maximizing the economic profitability. The case of France will be considered. The influence of different parameters, namely, the load profile, the building consumption and height, on the optimal integration of PV will be investigated. It is shown that the optimal PV integration is drastically impacted by the studied parameters, and the goal of the optimization. Furthermore, integration on facades appears to be most of the time relevant in order to enhance self-consumption.