In this paper, a simulator for assessing the possibility of PV integration to the medium voltage distribution network is developed. The PV location and peak power are defined in advance. The simulator is based on sequential Monte Carlo simulation with various possible uncertainties such as photovoltaic production and load. In addition, the sequential simulation enables detection of period when the network constraints are violated. For this analysis, time series of essential variables such as PV system production and load are modeled. Based on the results of power flow calculation, probability distributions of the voltage at various nodes, the loads on individual lines as well as the probability of network constraints exceeding are determined. Depending on the network constraints, possibility of connecting the PV system to the network at the desired location is assessed. The power flow calculation is executed by using the OpenDSS simulator, while the input time series are prepared in Matlab. The method presented in this paper is tested on IEEE 33 distribution test network.

Harnessing renewable energy sources (RES) using hybrid systems for buildings is almost a deontological obligation for engineers and researchers in the energy field, and increasing the percentage of renewables within the energy mix represents an important target. In crowded urban areas, on-site energy production and storage from renewables can be a real challenge from a technical point of view. The main objectives of this paper are quantification of the impact of the consumer’s profile on overall energy efficiency for on-site storage and final use of solar thermal energy, as well as developing a multicriteria assessment in order to provide a methodology for selection in prioritizing investments. Buildings with various consumption profiles lead to achieving different values of performance indicators in similar configurations of storage and energy supply. In this regard, an analysis of the consumption profile’s impact on overall energy efficiency, achieved in the case of on-site generation and storage of solar thermal energy, was performed. The obtained results validate the following conclusion: On-site integration of solar systems allowed the consumers to use RES at the desired coverage rates, while restricted by on-site available mounting areas for solar fields and thermal storage, under conditions of high energy efficiencies. In order to segregate the results and support optimal selection, a multicriteria analysis was carried out, having as the main criteria the energy efficiency indicators achieved by hybrid heating systems.

Bifacial photovoltaic modules have gained increasing attention in the last decade due to their potential to achieve higher annual energy yield in comparison to conventional monofacial modules. Since the higher energy production is also accompanied by higher investment costs, it is necessary to conduct a careful techno-economic analysis in order to provide the investors an answer about their accurate cost efficiency. The achievable energy output of a bifacial photovoltaic power plant is influenced by many factors such as module geometry, row spacing, orientation of the modules and ground albedo. Since the methodology for prediction of the energy yield has not yet been standardized, the main target of this paper was to create one version of a comprehensive standalone energy calculator that would serve as a useful performance assessment tool for designers and investors. The developed software tool was tested on several characteristic scenarios and the obtained results were compared with the results provided by two freely available online calculators.