Abstract:

The main focus of this paper was to evaluate and optimise the 3kW photovoltaic system installed for the UTT Solar House model on site at the University Campus in Trinidad and Tobago. Data collected from a walk-through energy audit of the facility was used to build an energy load profile; which was subsequently scaled to match local energy consumption patterns in Trinidad and Tobago for single family homes. The validated energy load profiles were used in the ‘HOMER Pro’ software, and served as one of the key inputs for simulation of the microgrid models created. Simulation results revealed that the system was overdesigned, and the off-grid winning architecture would be a 1.05kW PV system connected to a 1.4kW diesel generator, optimized to give a levelized cost of electricity of US$0.44/kWh. Although this system produces 1,044 kgCO2/year, it would still be less than the 1,421.7 kgCO2/year grid-equivalent emissions for electricity purchased that would be generated from locally supplied conventional energy. An alternative optimized grid-tied winning architecture would include refurbishment of the two 5.1kW wind turbines which were available onsite, to give an LCOE of US$0.0106/kWh, with a payback of 5.5 years at an internal rate or return of 17.4%. This relatively low LCOE, which would put the cost below the current subsidized LCOE for the country, however, can only be achievable if a net metering arrangement is factored into the model and supported through regulations in Trinidad and Tobago’s energy policy.

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