System and Method For Aligning HVAC Consumption With Photovoltaic Production With The Aid Of A Digital computer

A method for aligning HVAC consumption with photovoltaic production with the aid of a digital computer, comprising the steps of:

• obtaining time series net load for a time period during which HVAC load for a building will be shifted, an on-site PV system connected to the building, the time period comprising regular intervals;
• setting time series total load to equal the time series net load plus time series PV production data;
• estimating time series non-HVAC load during the time period;
• finding existing time series HVAC load by subtracting the time series non-HVAC load from the time series total load;
• selecting an HVAC load shifting strategy comprising moving HVAC consumption to match the PV production, the HVAC shifting strategy subject to one or more conditions associated with an indoor temperature of the building;
• constructing modified time series net load to match the selected HVAC load shifting strategy subject to operational constraints on the HVAC load remaining a positive value and exceeding the HVAC equipment rating;
• finding modified time series HVAC load by subtracting the time series non-HVAC load from the modified time series net load and adding to a result of the subtraction the time series PV production data;
• finding time series change in HVAC load by subtracting the modified time series HVAC load from the existing time series HVAC load;
• iteratively constructing time series change in indoor temperature for the time period as a function of the time series change in HVAC load and the thermal mass, thermal conductivity, and HVAC efficiency for the building;
• evaluating whether the modified time series HVAC load meets the operational constraints and that the conditions associated with the indoor temperature are satisfied,
• wherein the steps are performed by a suitably programmed computer and an HVAC system of the building is operated based on the HVAC load shifting strategy upon the evaluation the operational constraints and the conditions being met.