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On a new method to design solar photovoltaic systems in renewable energy communities: The case of Culatra Island (Ria Formosa, Portugal)

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  • Ewart, M.
  • Santos, J.
  • Pacheco, A.
  • Monteiro, J.
  • Sequeira, C.

Abstract

Islands must reach sustainable lifestyles by improving resources management and by getting accustomed to renewable energy sources. Culatra, a small Portuguese island, is actively increasing renewable energy penetration into local processes in order to be the first 100% sustainable Portuguese territory by 2030. Based on the electric consumption of Culatra, the objective of the present study is to project a photovoltaic unit composed of several sub-fields, each with a distinct orientation, in order to increase the self-consumption ratio while at the same time reducing the surplus of energy production, assessed by the self-sufficiency ratio criteria, resulting in a lower levelised cost of energy of the power system. To achieve this, MATLAB’s implementation of a genetic algorithm was used to find the optimised set of orientations for a given load profile. The results indicate that it is possible to optimise the photovoltaic plant to reach a more continuous electricity generation through daytime, reducing the storage needs and increasing the value of photovoltaic systems. The method can be extended to other locations or demand curves, assisting on comparing different energy management strategies, and their respective advantages and disadvantages.

Suggested Citation

  • Ewart, M. & Santos, J. & Pacheco, A. & Monteiro, J. & Sequeira, C., 2023. "On a new method to design solar photovoltaic systems in renewable energy communities: The case of Culatra Island (Ria Formosa, Portugal)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:285:y:2023:i:c:s0360544223026518
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.129257
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen, Yingya & Dai, Biting & Ren, Wei & Niu, Huimin & Chen, Zelin, 2025. "A comprehensive review of energy security in islanded regions: Challenges, strategies, and sustainable development pathways," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    2. Santana-Sarmiento, Francisco & Velázquez-Medina, Sergio, 2024. "A method based on GIS techniques to assess renewable energy self-consumption capacity. A case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    3. Tostado-Véliz, Marcos & Hasanien, Hany M. & Gómez-González, Manuel & Jurado, Francisco, 2025. "Robust rooftop photovoltaic planning in energy communities," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    4. Belloni, Elisa & Ferrucci, Tommaso & Fioriti, Davide & Tumiati, Andrea & Poli, Davide, 2025. "Global diffusion and key features of Energy Communities with a main focus on building loads modelling and management: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 399(C).

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