Reducing Energy Consumption in a Poultry Farm by Designing and Optimizing the Solar Heating/Photovoltaic System

Abstract

A solar heating system is designed to reduce energy consumption in a poultry farm. According to the physics and conditions of the indoor environment of the poultry building and the effect of the poultry weather conditions, the amount of 1.37 × 108 kJ/h during the year energy is required for heating. Then, by using double-glazed windows and insulation for the exterior walls of the building in the building architecture section, the amount of energy consumption is drastically reduced, and the required annual gas consumption is equal to 11,833 m3. The surface required for the collector is recommended to supply 50% of the energy from the sun with the rest from the hybrid system. The results showed that 26 m2 of a solar collector with an optimal slope of 45 degrees, and a tank volume of 440 L and a pump discharge of 1700 kg/h are required to provide 100% of energy. To receive the maximum amount of solar energy (maximum solar fraction (SF)), a collector surface equal to 30 m2 is required. However, when the economic point of view is considered, the collector surface equivalent to 26 m2 is recommended. To establish a balance, that is, 50% of the energy from the auxiliary system and the rest from the solar system, between the use of solar energy and the use of the auxiliary system, a collector area of 16 m2 is needed. Based on this, 60 photovoltaic modules, which are 10 cells in series in 6 parallel circuits, is the most optimal mode.