Conclusions

Abstract

In this project, an extensive and multidisciplinary study on the residential use of solar energy was carried out. After the presentation of the chosen model, the focus was initially put on the economic issue. The model consists in a basic system that does not include energy stockage or resale to the grid. The first objective was to determine the optimum capacity particulars have to install to maximize their benefits. A higher capacity generates more energy but as the totality of this production cannot be consumed (because of the very distinct profiles of the load curve and the solar production parabola) it might be more profitable to choose a lower capacity, which would be cheaper and which would limit the losses of the system. The optimization was done using the typical financial indicators (NPV, IRR and Payback) and was conducted in different countries of the Mediterranean area.