| This study focuses on the impact of the uncertainty in occupant-driven energy parameters---lighting, plug loads, thermostat setpoints, occupancy, and natural ventilation---on a house's ability to offset utility energy and peak demand with a PV system. Two house types---one standard 1990s construction and more energy-efficient---and four climates---Baltimore, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles---are included in the analysis. All houses utilize a 5kW, South-facing, grid-tied PV system.; Other work explores the reasons behind occupant-driven variations in more detail---this study instead quantifies the impacts of these variations on a house's potential to perform as "net zero energy."; The results, generated in EnergyPlus, identify the most influential occupant-driven parameters for a given house type in a given climate. In general, cooling setpoints and lighting power have the most influence over the standard construction house, while plug loads and schedule randomization have more influence over the efficient house. |
