Hybrid solar thermal/photovoltaic‐battery energy storage system in a commercial greenhouse: Performance and economic analysis

Performance and economic analyses of a hybrid solar thermal/photovoltaic‐battery energy storage (ST/PV‐BES) system for a commercial greenhouse were developed. One of the objectives of the study is to evaluate the best configuration of photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal (ST) modules, and battery energy storage size to have the minimum levelized cost of energy. The system was economically optimized. Moreover, to assess the influence of economic parameters such as ST system cost, PV system cost, natural gas price, electricity price, and large renewable procurement (LRP) rate, a series of sensitivity analyses were undertaken. The results showed that the ST system cost and natural gas price were the most effective parameters on both levelized cost of energy and payback period. The role of future evolution of electricity, fuel cost, and financial incentives (LRP rate and carbon tax) in the economic performance of the system were also analyzed.