Solar Photovoltaic Electricity Generation for Dairy Farms
Solar Photovoltaic Electricity Generation for Dairy Farms
Solar Photovoltaic Electricity Generation for Dairy Farms
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Gelli Aur <strong>Solar</strong> PV A5_13605 Practical sheep breeding 16/07/2012 09:02 Page 8<br />
Application to dairy farming<br />
Even at peak annual generation times, normal dairy farm energy use doesn’t suit solar<br />
energy production. On a typical dairy farm energy demand will be at its peak during<br />
morning and evening milking, where as solar energy production is at its peak around<br />
the middle of the day. Nevertheless, returns on investment can still be acceptable.<br />
It is possible to alter the operation of equipment such as water heaters and ice<br />
builders to make the best use of the PV generated electricity. By doing this the return<br />
on investment will be quicker as electricity used on farm from the PV is worth more<br />
than selling any unused energy back to the electricity supplier.<br />
Application of solar PV on dairy farms<br />
- normal energy use<br />
Electrical energy (KWh)<br />
00:00<br />
01:00<br />
02:00<br />
1st milking<br />
Milk collection<br />
2nd milking<br />
03:00<br />
04:00<br />
05:00<br />
06:00<br />
07:00<br />
08:00<br />
09:00<br />
10:00<br />
11:00<br />
Un-used<br />
solar energy<br />
13:00<br />
14:00<br />
15:00<br />
12:00<br />
Time<br />
16:00<br />
17:00<br />
18:00<br />
19:00<br />
20:00<br />
21:00<br />
normal energy use<br />
solar PV generation<br />
22:00<br />
23:00<br />
20:00<br />
Application of solar PV on dairy farms<br />
- revised energy use utilising solar PV<br />
Electrical energy (KWh)<br />
00:00<br />
01:00<br />
02:00<br />
1st milking<br />
Un-used<br />
solar energy<br />
Milk collection<br />
2nd milking<br />
03:00<br />
04:00<br />
05:00<br />
06:00<br />
07:00<br />
08:00<br />
09:00<br />
10:00<br />
11:00<br />
In order to maintain the best per<strong>for</strong>mance from the PV array, it is likely to need<br />
cleaning on a regular basis especially in the summer when dust can be an issue.<br />
Reference<br />
Šúri M., Huld T.A., Dunlop E.D. Ossenbrink H.A., 2007. Potential of solar electricity generation<br />
in the European Union member states and candidate countries. <strong>Solar</strong> Energy, 81, 1295–1305,<br />
http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/.<br />
8 <strong>Solar</strong> PV electricity generation <strong>for</strong> dairy farms<br />
13:00<br />
14:00<br />
15:00<br />
12:00<br />
Time<br />
16:00<br />
17:00<br />
18:00<br />
19:00<br />
20:00<br />
21:00<br />
normal energy use<br />
solar PV generation<br />
22:00<br />
23:00<br />
20:00<br />
Graphs <strong>for</strong> illustration purposes only.
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