Evaluación de la eficiencia de paneles solares como sistema de captación de energía para edificaciones del área urbana de Cuenca

Abstract

This study assesses the efficiency of solar photovoltaic panels as energy systems for the Centro Histórico of Cuenca. First, the efficiency of monocrystalline solar panels was assessed by in-situ measurements during December 2016 and three days of January 2017, for frequent inclinations and orientations of the Centro Histórico’s typical roofing. Second, a 21-day evaluation of efficiency loss by dirt accumulation was carried out during January 2017. Third, a linear regression between a TRNSYS power simulation and in-situ measurements was performed. Fourth, a technical and economic evaluation of photovoltaic systems was conducted for two buildings of the Centro Histórico as well as an environmental analysis, considering the energy demands of four zones of the Centro Histórico. Results show that the optimal configuration is East at 14° with an average efficiency of 13.33 %, higher than the least favorable configuration, North at 18.26°, by 18.2 %. The second evaluation showed an average efficiency loss of 2.77 % for a 14-day period of dirt accumulation. Moreover, a R2 = 0.528 from the linear regression showed that the TRNSYS simulation explains more than half of the variation of the in-situ measurements. Technical and economic analysis revealed that the building with higher energy consumption presents a higher profitability. Additionally, the environmental analysis showed that emissions between 644.15 and 683.91 tCO2eq/year could be avoided by using photovoltaic panels. This study demonstrates that the incorporation of photovoltaic technologies in the Centro Histórico of Cuenca is feasible and profitable.