Overview
The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a research institute of the University of Central Florida (UCF), will retrofit 12 occupied homes (a mix of manufactured and single-family homes) with the innovative photovoltaic-powered grid-enhanced mechanical solution (PV-GEMS). PV-GEMS is a scalable, whole-house mechanical system retrofit solution based on high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) and water-heating components. This includes a heat pump water heater and a mini-split heat pump integrated with an alternating-current-assisted, off-grid, photovoltaic and storage system packaged in a self-contained enclosure.
| Project Type | Problem to Solve | Solution | Location | Timeline | Partners |
| Residential retrofit | Time, cost, and complexity of deep energy retrofits | Integrated PV-powered mechanical system pods | MA, CO, TX, OR, NC, GA | July 2023–June 2027 |
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Project Goals
This project aims to demonstrate the developed integrated mechanical solution to satisfy the targeted 75% reduction in energy use intensity for space conditioning and water heating.
Impacts
Technology Impact
The PV-GEMS system is designed to significantly cut home energy costs and offers the possibility of operating during power outages, making it a resilient, reliable, and affordable heating, cooling, and water heating system with the potential to be mass-produced and scaled across the county. This technology is designed to make single-family and manufactured homes more resilient while encouraging the deployment of efficient HVAC and water-heating technologies at scale without increasing utility costs.
Market Impact
This technology has the potential to offer rapid deployment of a deep energy retrofit solution for the tens of millions of homeowners with modest-sized manufactured or single-family homes in all but the coldest of climates, requiring minimal disruption to building occupants.
The manufactured housing sector is in need of creative energy use and cost reduction strategies. We think PV-GEMS could be a game changer within many of the communities we work with, and homeowners are already excited to see a pod installed in their community.
- Worked with a local Tuff Shed® dealer to design and install the first full-scale PV-GEMS prototype pod enclosure on FSEC’s Manufactured Housing Lab.
- Developed designs for 240 V- and 120 V-based components, as well as for a larger system that uses a 3-ton centrally ducted heat pump.
- Developed drafts of PV-GEMS life cycle analysis and technology-to-market plans.
- Deep energy retrofits often require multiple different contractors, each specializing in specific trades. As identifying and scheduling these contractors can be a barrier to retrofit adoption, the project team envisions the need for integrated, turnkey contractors to provide sales and installation of the PV-GEMS system.
- In addition to convening a technology deployment task force, the work plan including development of interactive, multimedia training engages sales and installation professionals.
- ROC USA (a nonprofit organization that helps homeowners buy and manage their own manufactured home communities) is coordinating engagement between the project team and residents within manufactured home communities they work with in order to finalize recruitment of demonstration sites.
- EXP, an international design and engineering firm, has been retained to develop engineering documentation for the PV-GEMS system and engage with building departments to begin the permitting process prior to installation of PV-GEMS systems in the demonstration locations.
General Inquiries: [email protected]
About the ABC Initiative
The Advanced Building Construction (ABC) Initiative, led by the Building Technologies Office (BTO), integrates energy efficiency and advanced technology solutions into industrialized construction processes to drastically increase the speed and scale of high-performance, low-carbon building retrofits and new construction.
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Page last updated: June 5, 2024