Energy performance assessment of a photovoltaic panel-supported carbon film heating system for poultry houses

Abstract

The poultry industry constitutes a major component of the livestock sector, providing a cost-effective source of protein for human nutrition. Despite its economic and nutritional importance, the sector is highly energy-intensive, relying heavily on electrical and thermal energy to ensure stable environmental conditions. The energy efficiency and sustainability of poultry production systems have become a critical research focus. Maintaining a uniform temperature distribution is essential for ensuring animal welfare and production efficiency. Uneven heating often leads to localized cold or hot zones, which can induce thermal stress in birds. Thermal stress adversely affects feed intake, growth rate, immune function, and overall productivity, ultimately resulting in lower meat and egg quality. Therefore, achieving homogeneous heating conditions plays a critical role in supporting healthy flock development and producing high-quality poultry products. This study evaluates the energy performance of a PV-assisted carbon film heating system in the poultry sector, aiming to both reduce energy consumption and improve product quality. In the experimental study, the system design was based on the heating load, PV-generated power, load ratio, and battery capacity. The performance data for the grid-independent system are discussed. Heating demand peaks in January, reaching 232.47 kWh, while the PV system generates 235.29 kWh.

Keywords

• Photovoltaic panel
• Carbon film heating
• Poultry
• Energy performance

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