Techno-economic analysis of building energy system with net meter solar PV in Sri Lanka

Abstract

In Sri Lanka net meter PV energy is popular in building sector and also it is promoted by the government. Every building owner would be like to have optimum energy design while minimizing the cost of energy when new buildings are at design stage. According to the 2014 Sri Lana energy balance, the energy consumption of commercial buildings accounts for about 25% of energy. So it is important to optimize consumption offossil fuels in the building sector in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Optimum net meter solar PV capacity to be installed is depend on various factor such as tariff category, solar irradiation, building load profile, maximum demand ofthe building etc. Thus it is essential do analysis to decide the PV system capacity. But this analysis is tedious to do without data and expertise knowledge on high end analysis software. In this research, a methodology is proposed to develop an optimum energy solution tool using techno- economic analysis for building energy system with net metered solar PV in Sri Lanka which are differ from load profile, tariff Scheme and the maximum demand. The software HOMER was used to model the energy system and the simulation is validated using two actual situations. From this research intelligent tool is developed which is very easy to use by anyone without expertise knowledge or practice to select optimum solar PV capacity to be installed and get details on investment cost, cost of energy, payback period etc. Ifthe user cannot go for the optimum PV capacity due to the limitations on cost or area, then this tool can be used select whatever the possible feasible capacity using this tool. This developed tool have been verified considering two actual situations.