If you’re like me, your interest in solar goes far beyond your own solar array for home. I’m always looking out for new and inventive ways that solar companies are harnessing this abundant source of clean energy. It’s fascinating to explore the multitude of industries benefiting from solar, and recently, one such industry caught my eye – beer brewing.
In Spain, researchers from the Andalusian Association for Research and Industrial Cooperation have been exploring the use of photovoltaic (PV) and photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) systems in microbreweries. Their findings? Both have a place in the brewing process, albeit with some unique pros and cons.
PV systems are what most of us commonly understand as solar panels for your home. PVT systems, on the other hand, capture a portion of the sun’s radiant energy to generate heat as well as electricity.
These researchers recognized that the brewing process needs electricity and low-temperature heat, making PVT systems a very fitting solution. Microbreweries, particularly those considered ‘small-scale’ (with an annual production below 5000 hl), often don’t have a steam boiler. Instead, they depend on gas burners or electric resistors to provide heat. To meet their cooling requirements, small vapor-compression chillers are generally used.
For their investigation, the researchers conducted computational simulations using a microbrewery’s real heat and cold load profiles. They then tested scenarios using varying types of panels (350 W PV modules, 390 W unglazed PVT panels, or 260 W glazed PVT modules) with different system sizes (3.9 kW, 10 kW, and 15 kW). These were tested against varying climatic conditions and relevant economic metrics.
The findings showed that the PV-only system could cover up to 28.2% of total electricity production for a microbrewery depending on the location and system size. PVT systems provided a coverage range between 12.4% and 27.1%.
When it came to PVT systems covering thermal energy demand, this ranged from 12% to 47.6%. Unsurprisingly these varied by geographical location, and as a result, the amount of sunlight exposure.
Now you might be wondering about the cost factor because as someone considering solar panels for your home, you understand that the initial expenditure is a significant factor. The payback period for all PV systems, regardless of location, sat around 4-6 years – a timeframe that may sound familiar to many in the process of considering a solar company for their home installation.
However, for the PVT systems, the payback period extends to anywhere between 13-25 years. This longer payback period is something that potential investors, including solar companies that might be contemplating entering this niche sector, should consider.
This study from Spain provides novel insights into how the brewing process can be powered partly by solar energy, potentially opening doors for further implementation and innovation by right-minded solar companies. With over 2,000 microbreweries in the U.S alone, there’s certainly encouragement for continued exploration into sustainable brewing methods. Solar initiatives should always be lauded, regardless of whether it’s a huge industrial effort or simply choosing solar panels for your home.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/07/09/solar-for-small-scale-brewing/
