PV Ready Heat Pump

PV Ready

Thanks to Aircal's solution, future fully electric homes have now been launched. Combining various products provided, including hot water, heating, ventilation, and refrigeration, will pave the way for improving energy efficiency without the need to connect to other forms of fossil fuels. When combined and optimized with solar photovoltaic power generation, this can result in minimal or even non-existent bills.

 

Future oriented self-sufficiency

Hot water, heating, ventilation, refrigeration - all advanced building services can operate using renewable energy. In order to achieve greater self-sufficiency, Aircal heat pumps can be connected to solar photovoltaics and energy management tools to create intelligent systems. Perfect match betwSolar Building Design: Summary of Technical Considerations.

We see that the rooftop solar market is undergoing rapid transformation, with costs decreasing and deployment increasing, but these changes do not mean that every new building will suddenly be equipped with solar systems tomorrow, next week, or even next year. However, some architectural design options can be utilized today to facilitate the potential use of future solar installations.

Solar ready building design, as the name suggests, refers to the design and construction of a building at a certain moment after its completion in a way that promotes and optimizes the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Solar ready design can make future photovoltaic system installations more cost-effective by reducing the need for infrastructure upgrades, ensuring the feasibility of solar technology, and planning for photovoltaic system optimization. Solar ready design is not a new concept - several states and cities, including Tucson, California and Arizona, have begun incorporating solar ready design directives into their building regulations and policies * - but it remains a relevant concept, especially in experiencing new urban developments in certain areas.

 

what pv ready?

Due to rapid learning and sustained growth, solar photovoltaic (PV) has now become a highly cost-effective technology that can make significant contributions to reducing CO2 emissions. However, many scenarios evaluating the global decarbonization path, whether based on comprehensive evaluation models or partial equilibrium models, have failed to determine the key role that this technology can play, including future photovoltaic power generation capacity far lower than predicted by the photovoltaic industry.

 

Solar photovoltaic systems are required to be applicable to newly constructed low rise residential buildings.

The solar readiness requirement is a mandatory measure that applies to buildings without installed solar photovoltaic systems. When a building is built with solar energy ready, applicable energy regulations require preparation for the future installation of solar energy systems in the building.

 

Preparing All Buildings for Solar Energy: 7 Rules of thumb

1. Maximize unobstructed, south facing roof space.

Considering that the planning of future solar cell arrays can provide information on site layout, building volume, and roof shape in the initial stage of design. The investment payback period of the optimal directional photovoltaic array is shorter because its output is higher compared to other directional arrays. The optimal tilt angle for photovoltaic power generation depends on latitude, ground and roof installation, array density, and weather conditions.

For example, for a single row of ground mounted panels, the best rule of thumb for tilting is 0.65 degrees plus 7 degrees. For Virginia, this means 31.7 degrees. For larger rooftop installation arrays, we found that the optimal panel inclination for photovoltaic power generation is 5-10 degrees to optimize panel shading as well as the required density and wind load.

 

2. Minimize roof obstacles and group them accordingly.

The panels are connected together in a series of ways, so if one panel is obstructed, you may lose a significant portion of the array. Maximize the available open roof area and concentrate all roof obstacles and penetrations to the north of the array. Ensure that higher plants that may obstruct the array are located to the north, and trim nearby trees to minimize array obstruction. 

 

3. Design additional roof bearing capacity and specify durable roof materials.

When performing structural calculations, it is assumed that an array has been installed to ensure sufficient capacity for future photovoltaic power generation. In addition, given that the panel comes with a 25 year warranty, it is crucial to specify a durable roof material. Some materials, such as upright seam roofs, are very suitable for photovoltaic power generation because panels can be sandwiched between seams and do not require additional penetration. EPDM and TPO membranes are also good choices due to their long service life.

 

4. Pre installed roof conduit for easy installation.

In addition to providing cover sleeves that pass through the roof, metal conduits are also provided to lead to the main electrical room, with sizes suitable for system capacity. The bending before pulling the box should not exceed 360 degrees. 

 

5. Plan inverter space.

A good rule of thumb is to plan approximately 3 linear feet for every 30 kW of array capacity. The performance of inverters is affected by temperature, so indoor and air-conditioned locations are ideal choices. If necessary, the inverter can be placed in a cool external location.

 

6. Plan the "photovoltaic main service" upstream of the main distribution circuit breaker.

It is expected that photovoltaic backbone services can connect a large amount of renewable energy to power services and ensure that expensive modifications to the distribution system are not required in the future.

 

7. Consider the storage location of the battery.

Although most battery storage technologies are currently not cost-effective, costs are decreasing and the technology is improving exponentially. When anticipating the array, it is best to also plan the battery locations, which are almost always installed outside the building near the main power services. A good rule of thumb for every 50 kWh is a 3x3 foot space (plus gaps). At a scale of 500 kWh, batteries typically come in container sizes.

Not every project can achieve zero energy consumption when it opens, but the decrease in solar energy costs and the increasing public expectations for implementing photovoltaic power generation mean that now is the best time to deliver solar buildings.een heating and self generation; The on-site consumption of solar energy has been optimized.

Other household appliances can also be controlled using solar energy generated on site, thus operating at a reasonable cost. This reduces household energy costs and CO2 emissions, while improving self-sufficiency and sustainability.

 

The goal of energy transformation is to get rid of fossil fuels

The fossil fuels in the electricity market are decreasing - they pose too great a threat to the climate and are becoming increasingly scarce. Nowadays, alternative energy sources utilizing the sun, wind, and water are used to generate green electricity.

 

Inverter function

Current is not always current

Photovoltaic systems can provide you with your own renewable energy. For this, you need a solar module that utilizes the energy of solar radiation to generate electricity. But this type of electricity cannot be used immediately in households because it is direct current, while most household appliances and power grids use alternating current. Therefore, you need an inverter to convert direct current into alternating current. Only in this way can you use energy from the sun or input it into the power grid.

Output and Safety - The Most Important Function of Inverters

Due to its main function, inverters are known as the "heart and brain" of photovoltaic systems.

 

Make current available:

Convert direct current into alternating current for household use.

Optimize system output:

Monitor the current and voltage values of the solar modules to ensure they always provide optimal output.

Ensure safe operation:

Inverters are also an important factor in system safety. For example, it includes a cooling function to prevent the system from overheating. It also controls the frequency of the power grid and reduces output as needed. In the worst-case scenario, the inverter may also disconnect the system from the grid.

Increase self consumption:

The electricity on the roof is cheaper than the electricity on the grid. Therefore, smart inverters will ensure that you can use the solar energy generated by the system as much as possible.

 

Power outage? The light is always on.

When planning photovoltaic systems, many people hope to have a backup power source to prevent power outages. But most people are not aware that there are almost no inverters providing this function. Even if sunlight continues to shine during power outages and solar modules generate energy, most inverters are unable to provide backup power facilities. If you want true self-sufficiency, you must make sure to choose an inverter that provides backup power.

 

Solar energy - long-term sustainable development?

There are serious differences in the manufacturing methods of inverters, which affect factors such as sustainability and environmental protection. Funeng Shi's products are manufactured in Austria using minerals from conflict free regions and energy generated by our own photovoltaic systems.

Zoning laws and licensing requirements

At the local level, zoning laws and licensing requirements may affect on-site solar energy development and should be considered during the building planning phase. Due to the negative impact of shadows on the performance of photovoltaic systems, understanding the zoning environment and whether adjacent buildings may have shadows on the photovoltaic array in the future is an important consideration. Applicable solar energy acquisition laws and historical protection regulations should also be evaluated.