ABSTRACT
In Austria there are many mountain huts, which have been built to accommodate visitors for dining and sleeping. Some of these huts are well equipped, having a kitchen, guestrooms, showers and washrooms. There is usually a caretaker who provides services for the visitors. Increasingly, photovoltaic systems are used for these mountain huts. The Austrian electric utilities have more than ten years experience in this field and support such research projects. By installing the additional Photovoltaic (PV) array, significant reductions in the operation of the conventional diesel system can be achieved. The cost of the overall system PV generator, distribution panel, cables, charge controller, charger, two inverters, 36 kWh lead–acid battery including installation was about 47 000 USD. With the PV system, the hut is more pleasant, because the noisy diesel generator operates considerably less often. Only during periods with high power and energy demand is it necessary to start the diesel system, and then usually for a short time only.
