Power load analysis and configuration optimization of solar thermal-PV hybrid microgrid based on building

Solar thermal power system and photovoltaic coupled system can supply electric energy based on renewable solar energy. To explore the optimal configuration of hybrid microgrid driven by solar energy and to achieve a stable and sufficient electric power supply for the distributed energy system, this paper configures a solar thermal-photovoltaic hybrid microgrid and compares the performance of several microgrids based on the power load analysis of the building. The working fluid and the microgrid configuration are determined based on the performance evaluation of single and hybrid microgrids. The effect of solar irradiation on economic and environmental performance is analyzed under the meteorological data of Xi'an and Lhasa in China. Furthermore, the configuration optimizations of a hybrid microgrid based on the actual load and basic load of the building are carried out to examine the performance of the system. Results indicate that economic and environmental performances are sensitive to solar irradiation. More than 50 % of the area of solar thermal collector can be saved for Lhasa compared with Xi'an. Solar thermal-photovoltaic hybrid microgrid with battery can decrease carbon emission and avoid dependence on the external power grid.