Solar Powered Mechanical Ventilation: A case study

¹ Solar Energy Institute, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
² Loadstar Izmir, Turkey

^* Corresponding author: orhan.ekren@ege.edu.tr

Abstract

In this study, a solar powered mechanical ventilation unit has investigated and tested in terms of efficiency and performance. Test unit can be divided into two parts, the first one is ventilation unit with 370 m3/h max airflow rate and max 167 W fan power provides fresh air for a residency and recovers heat from the climatized exhaust air. Total area is 70 m² for the residency and total occupant is four. The second part of the test system is solar energy power system with two 325 W polycrystalline photovoltaic panels, an inverter and two batteries. The mechanical ventilation unit has energized by a solar photovoltaic system; if the solar energy is not available then ventilation unit has connected to the national electricity grid. This is an alternative option to consumers to use electricity by the grid in case the PV system does not produce enough energy because of the usage or the technical problems or the weather conditions based on the seasons. On the other hand, in some cities, number of photovoltaic panels rolled up upper number according to solar energy potential and therefore resulted excess electricity has assumed to sell to the national grid. According to the results, the test system is able to operate at maximum ventilation necessity and power consumption without grid connection in Izmir. Furthermore, we have compared Izmir and Romania in accordance with feasibility for the same mechanical ventilation system at max flow rate and required ventilation rate is determined depends on daily usage scenario of the room.