Exploring the Benefits of Photovoltaic Non-Optimal Orientations in Buildings

As Solar Photovoltaics in buildings reaches maturity, grid integration and economic yield are topics of greater interest. Some strategies like demand shift management or storing electricity in batteries are proposed to reach a higher share of PV into the distribution grid. The price reduction of solar PV has driven a change in support policies from the feed-in tariff to net metering and, nowadays, to net billing schemes. With an increase in PV installations, aesthetical aspects are more valued, and coplanar placement of modules is preferred. By analyzing the operation of two PV installations: one residential and another industrial, we will show that smart use of these non-optimal orientations for the yearly production can be more convenient. Through the economic evaluation of several PV orientations, it is found that the economic performance could minimize the energy loss from optimal. The analysis of different alternatives for each study case has allowed us to identify several benefits for these orientations.