Comparison of the performance of PV and PV/T systems through computational modeling applied to a commercial consumer unit

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21712/lajer.2025.v12.n3.p154-163

Keywords:

Hybrid Photovoltaic/Thermal System; Photovoltaic System; Energy Efficiency; Water Heating; Computational Simulation.

Abstract

This work presents a comparative case study, through computational simulations using Matlab software, between the installation of a conventional PV system and a hybrid PV/T system in a hotel located in Vila Velha–ES, where water heating for 45 suites is carried out by electric showers. The simulations considered meteorological data (solar irradiance and ambient temperature), an electrical consumption profile obtained through measurement, as well as installation constraints related to available area and shading. The results indicated that, although the PV/T system has a lower peak power and occupies a smaller area, it demonstrates superior performance when considering the total energy balance. The main advantage observed was a 12.07% reduction in total load consumption, resulting from the use of thermal energy for water heating, which reduces electrical demand. This substitution led to a decrease in grid consumption and an increase of 284.5% in the financial credit generated at the end of the simulated period.

The findings demonstrate that the PV/T system represents a more efficient solution for facilities with high water heating demand, optimizing space utilization and contributing to the reduction of electrical grid load.

Keywords: Hybrid Photovoltaic/Thermal System; Photovoltaic System; Energy Efficiency; Water Heating; Computational Simulation.

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Author Biographies

  • Carlos Roberto Coutinho, Instituto Federal do Espírito Santo

    The person holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Telecommunications from Faculdade Novo Milênio (2009) and a postgraduate specialization in Computer Science in Education from the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo (IFES) (2013). They are a professor in the Electrical Engineering program coordination at the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo, São Mateus campus, teaching in the Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Integrated Technical in Electrical Engineering, and Concurrent Technical in Electrical Engineering programs.

  • Rodrigo Fiorotti, Instituto Federal do Espírito Santo – IFES, campus São Mateus

    Rodrigo Fiorotti received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Brazil, in 2013 and 2015, respectively. He is currently a full-time professor at the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo (Ifes) and a Ph.D. candidate in the Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering (PPGEE) at UFES. His main areas of interest include power systems, renewable energy sources, smart grids, demand-side management, and energy efficiency.

  • Brunella Bermudes Prati Sant'Ana, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo

    She completed her technical degree in Building Construction in 2014, earned a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering in 2019, a specialization in Civil Construction and Structures in 2020, and a master's degree in Electrical Engineering in 2024, focusing on the Energy Processing and Electrical Systems (PES) research area. She worked in structural pathology of bridges and historic buildings for two years and in drainage and paving for public works projects for three years. She is currently a university professor, Ph.D. candidate, and researcher in hybrid thermal systems using renewable energy sources for clean and/or low-impact power generation. She is an active member of the Center of Excellence in Thermoeconomics and Sustainable Energy (NETES) and the Energy Management Research Group, both affiliated with UFES.

  • Helder Roberto de Oliveira Rocha, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo

    He holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Scientific Computing and Power Systems from the Fluminense Federal University (UFF), a specialization in Business Administration from UCAM, a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from UFRRJ, and a degree in Electrical Engineering from UFF. He has experience in Electrical Engineering, working mainly in the following areas: Artificial Intelligence, Metaheuristics, Smart Grids, and Telecommunications Systems. He has served as an in-person tutor in the Computer Systems Technology program offered by CEDERJ, and as a professor at the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo (Ifes) and the Department of Computing and Electronics at CEUNES/UFES. He conducted research under the CAPES Postdoctoral Program at UFES. He currently holds the position of Associate Professor (Class D – Level I) in the Department of Electrical Engineering at UFES and is a PQ2 Productivity Fellow.

  • Jussara Farias Fardin, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo

    My undergraduate degree is in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (1978). I also hold a master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (1983), and a Ph.D. in the same field from the University of Campinas (2001). I am currently a Full Professor at the Federal University of Espírito Santo. My research areas include energy management, renewable energy sources, microgrids, smart grids, and system identification applied to power systems.

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Published

11/29/2025

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2025): 1 Encontro Interdisciplinar em Energia

Section

Eficiência Energética

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Copyright (c) 2025 Latin American Journal of Energy Research

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How to Cite

Comparison of the performance of PV and PV/T systems through computational modeling applied to a commercial consumer unit. (2025). Latin American Journal of Energy Research, 12(3), 154-163. https://doi.org/10.21712/lajer.2025.v12.n3.p154-163

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