Photovoltaic solar installation for the university extension center building: technical feasibility and recovery of investment

Abstract

Solar energy is a key renewable source to combat climate change and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Using photovoltaic solar installations in buildings can help cover all or part of their electricity consumption, but feasibility depends on geographic, technical and economic factors. There are three types of installations: off-grid, which require additional support or storage when there is no energy production; grid-tied for self-consumption, allowing the sale of surplus production; and hybrid systems, which combine both. This study analyzes three technical and economic possibilities to cover a portion of the electricity consumption of the Extension Building at the Bahía Blanca Regional Faculty through a photovoltaic solar installation connected to the public grid. It concludes that 42%, 28%, and 16% of total consumption can be covered, with a return on investment in 15, 11, and 18 years, respectively. These solar production values will be used in the PID that studies small-scale green hydrogen production in
buildings.