A FULLY PV-POWERED HOME AND ELECTRIC TRUCK FOR COMMUTING AND EMERGENCY POWER

摘要

We describe one year of experience with a grid-connected, zero-electric energy home powered by thin-film photovoltaics. The system was sized to have enough energy left over to charge an electric truck for 20 miles of commuting each day. The house is located in Toledo, OH, a region with an amount of direct and indirect sunlight that is slightly below average for the U.S. The PV panels cover about half of the south facing part of the roof; no unusual construction methods were used; and yet the system provides the yearly electricity needs for the house and the commuter truck. This performance demonstrates how easy one may achieve zero electricity usage for living and commuting in geographic regions with average solar radiation in the U.S.