Photovoltaic-phase change energy storage system and method

A solar photovoltaic powered phase change material thermal energy storage system, comprising:

• a refrigerator unit;
• an ethylene glycol (EG) flow unit;
• an air handling unit;
• and
• an air conditioning (AC) unit,
• wherein the refrigerator unit comprises:
• a photovoltaic (PV) panel, a phase change material (PCM) tank, a refrigeration pump, a cooling fan assembly, a first compressor, a first condenser, a first expansion valve, and an evaporator;
• wherein the PV panel provides electrical energy to the first compressor to cool a PCM material housed within the PCM tank;
• the PV panel is directly adjacent and covers a top side of the PCM tank;
• the PCM tank is in thermal communication with the first condenser through a refrigeration coil and is configured to flow a refrigerant from the PCM tank to the first condenser via the refrigeration pump, wherein the refrigerant comprises water, ethylene-glycol and at least one component selected from the group consisting of copper oxide, titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide;
• the PCM tank further comprises a door, at least 20 ventilation vents, and a drainage passage;
• the refrigeration pump is housed inside a same compartment as the compressor;
• and
• the refrigeration coil in the PCM tank is immersed in the PCM material and configured to circulate the refrigerant to the PCM tank and the first condenser;
• and
• the cooling fan assembly is positioned proximal to the first condenser;
• the EG flow unit comprises a heat exchanger, a pump, and a fan coil;
• and
• the air handling unit comprises an AC evaporator and two three-way valves, wherein a first three-way valve directs heated air through the AC evaporator and a second three-way valve directs heated air through the fan coil;
• and
• the AC unit comprises a second compressor, a second condenser, and a second expansion valve.